The Eastern Cape government said unity was crucial to achieving more in the development of the country, 22 years after the advent of democracy.
Premier Phumulo Masualle made the statement at provincial Freedom Day celebrations at the University of Fort Hare in Alice yesterday.
But the United Democratic Front came out guns blazing in Mqanduli, with deputy president Khanyisile Litchfield-Tshabalala telling party supporters at a Freedom Day rally that the ANC government continued where the National Party had left off before the advent of democracy.
She laid into the ruling party, saying under its governance rich people became richer and poor people got poorer.
Freedom Day celebrations were held across the country yesterday with President Jacob Zuma attending the official national event in Limpopo.
Addressing hundreds of people who attended the Alice event, Masualle said shelter, education and the eradication of poverty were still a key part of government’s plans.
He said many young people from impoverished communities were still finding it difficult to access higher education.
“As government we’ve achieved so much in the 22 years but we need to do more and that can be done if we do it in unity.
“Free education at tertiary level is important and mostly the poor kids need to benefit. But I can safely say we are making progress in that,” said Masualle.
The premier said the road to democracy was a long and difficult one.
“Since the arrival of those visitors in 1652, our people lived under unfair and unjust control and domination.
“We lost the right to vote and had no say in the running of our own country,” he said.
“Those heroes we are reminded of today as we celebrate, laid their lives down so we could be able to enjoy the gains we are celebrating today,” he said.
The event was attended by a number of government dignitaries including executive committee members Pemmy Majodina, Mlibo Qoboshiyane, Mandla Makupula, legislature speaker Noxolo Kiviet and former Buffalo City Metro mayor Zukiswa Ncitha.
UFH vice-chancellor Dr Mvuyo Tom, who welcomed the guests, said the emancipation of people was important for the country.
“Freedom, politics, culture and economics work together for the emancipation of the people,” said Tom.
Litchfield-Tshabalala told a capacity crowd in the Mqanduli multi-purpose centre that freedom had not yet been achieved and drummed up support for the UDM for the August 3 local government elections.
The former uMkhonto Wesizwe soldier blamed the ANC government for disregarding former Transkei bantustan infrastructure.
“If you were to wake up Matan-zima today, he would know exactly where to go because the Transkei is still the same as he left it.
“In fact, it is in a worse condition than he left it,” she said, stressing that she was not saying bantustans were the way to go.
Litchfield-Tshabalala said Mthatha had been ignored.
“I was shocked to see Mthatha in such a condition. When you walk in town you have to jump over faeces and urine.
“This is the so-called democracy but what changed is that we removed apartheid.
“We are not yet free because democracy is not just voting every five years. This is another form of slavery but the only difference is that black faces are in charge,” she said.
Drumming up support for the elections, Litchfield-Tshabalala stressed the need for unity, saying if the party were to unite it would be in charge of the King Sabata Dalindyebo and Mbhashe councils. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
Masualle calls for unity at Freedom Day event
Premier Phumulo Masualle made the statement at provincial Freedom Day celebrations at the University of Fort Hare in Alice yesterday.
But the United Democratic Front came out guns blazing in Mqanduli, with deputy president Khanyisile Litchfield-Tshabalala telling party supporters at a Freedom Day rally that the ANC government continued where the National Party had left off before the advent of democracy.
She laid into the ruling party, saying under its governance rich people became richer and poor people got poorer.
Freedom Day celebrations were held across the country yesterday with President Jacob Zuma attending the official national event in Limpopo.
Addressing hundreds of people who attended the Alice event, Masualle said shelter, education and the eradication of poverty were still a key part of government’s plans.
He said many young people from impoverished communities were still finding it difficult to access higher education.
“As government we’ve achieved so much in the 22 years but we need to do more and that can be done if we do it in unity.
“Free education at tertiary level is important and mostly the poor kids need to benefit. But I can safely say we are making progress in that,” said Masualle.
The premier said the road to democracy was a long and difficult one.
“Since the arrival of those visitors in 1652, our people lived under unfair and unjust control and domination.
“We lost the right to vote and had no say in the running of our own country,” he said.
“Those heroes we are reminded of today as we celebrate, laid their lives down so we could be able to enjoy the gains we are celebrating today,” he said.
The event was attended by a number of government dignitaries including executive committee members Pemmy Majodina, Mlibo Qoboshiyane, Mandla Makupula, legislature speaker Noxolo Kiviet and former Buffalo City Metro mayor Zukiswa Ncitha.
UFH vice-chancellor Dr Mvuyo Tom, who welcomed the guests, said the emancipation of people was important for the country.
“Freedom, politics, culture and economics work together for the emancipation of the people,” said Tom.
Litchfield-Tshabalala told a capacity crowd in the Mqanduli multi-purpose centre that freedom had not yet been achieved and drummed up support for the UDM for the August 3 local government elections.
The former uMkhonto Wesizwe soldier blamed the ANC government for disregarding former Transkei bantustan infrastructure.
“If you were to wake up Matan-zima today, he would know exactly where to go because the Transkei is still the same as he left it.
“In fact, it is in a worse condition than he left it,” she said, stressing that she was not saying bantustans were the way to go.
Litchfield-Tshabalala said Mthatha had been ignored.
“I was shocked to see Mthatha in such a condition. When you walk in town you have to jump over faeces and urine.
“This is the so-called democracy but what changed is that we removed apartheid.
“We are not yet free because democracy is not just voting every five years. This is another form of slavery but the only difference is that black faces are in charge,” she said.
Drumming up support for the elections, Litchfield-Tshabalala stressed the need for unity, saying if the party were to unite it would be in charge of the King Sabata Dalindyebo and Mbhashe councils. — bonganif@dispatch.co.za
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