NATIONAL Freedom Party (NFP) leader Zanele Magwaza-Msibi has criticised the call by ANC veteran and former intelligence minister Ronnie Kasrils for people to spoil their ballots in protest against the ruling party.
Magwaza-Msibi was addressing villagers in Ntibani and Nomhala villages just outside Tsolo during the last leg of her Eastern Cape campaign.
Although the area is known to be an ANC stronghold, Magwaza-Msibi received a warm reception.
She was invited to two church services in different villages, met with the town’s taxi association and later held a rally in Ntibani village.
She urged Mhlontlo residents to not listen to the “ill-informed and irresponsible” advice from Kasrils and others but to instead vote for her party, which would make changes in governance.
“Many people died fighting for us to have the right to vote. It is imperative that we all go and vote. We understand their frustration but it is irresponsible to stay and home and not vote,” added Magwaza-Msibi.
She said her aim was to dispel the myth that her party was only for disgruntled IFP members and people of KwaZulu-Natal.
“When this party was established in 2011, many analysts said we would only attract former IFP members. We want to dispel that myth, the NFP is a party for all South Africans committed to clean governance,” she said.
Local government and traditional affairs MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane attended a service at Ethiopian Church of Africa aka Kwa Tata uMasebe in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.
Qoboshiyane, who is the ANC’s Eastern Cape head of elections, was accompanied by the Nelson Mandela Bay regional leadership to attend a resurrection service.
He was given an opportunity to speak where he encouraged the congregation that churches have a supporting role to play in government.
Also that service delivery was done by civil servants who were active members of churches and that in serving their communities, they should do so with love and be Christ-like.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa attended a service at Burning Bush Ministries in East London.
Speaking to the congregation, Holomisa touched on patriotism, saying it was not only about big issues like defending democracy, but it started with taking care of your environment and not littering.
He also said it was also important to the be able to elect a good calibre of leaders. He said leaders should be able to defend the truth and when in the wrong, should acknowledge that.
At Ngcolosi 12 village, the ANC was reportedly chased away by the headman and villagers.
Headman Ntsokolo “Gwebecimele” Gquma said: “As the headman in this area, it is my duty to know who does what in the village.
“I received reports from concerned residents saying there were people going into their houses saying they wanted to register children for IDs.
“We did not know who they were or who sent them.
“We summoned them to come and report what exactly they were doing. One of them phoned Xolile Nkompela.
“I told him it was unacceptable that they just come to a village without informing the traditional authority about it.”
Nkompela could not be reached for comment.
However, ANC OR Tambo regional secretary Lulama Ngcukayithobi said “it would be a pity that has occurred”.
“Without verifying facts, it should have been courteously for the ANC just to notify that traditional leader concerned.
“It is a matter that we need to follow up.
“But it would be very unfortunate if any traditional leader would go to an extent of chasing campaigners away knowing very well that people have a right to campaign for elections.” — Additional reporting by Siya Boya
Magwaza-Msibi hits out at Kasrils’ no vote campaign
Magwaza-Msibi was addressing villagers in Ntibani and Nomhala villages just outside Tsolo during the last leg of her Eastern Cape campaign.
Although the area is known to be an ANC stronghold, Magwaza-Msibi received a warm reception.
She was invited to two church services in different villages, met with the town’s taxi association and later held a rally in Ntibani village.
She urged Mhlontlo residents to not listen to the “ill-informed and irresponsible” advice from Kasrils and others but to instead vote for her party, which would make changes in governance.
“Many people died fighting for us to have the right to vote. It is imperative that we all go and vote. We understand their frustration but it is irresponsible to stay and home and not vote,” added Magwaza-Msibi.
She said her aim was to dispel the myth that her party was only for disgruntled IFP members and people of KwaZulu-Natal.
“When this party was established in 2011, many analysts said we would only attract former IFP members. We want to dispel that myth, the NFP is a party for all South Africans committed to clean governance,” she said.
Local government and traditional affairs MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane attended a service at Ethiopian Church of Africa aka Kwa Tata uMasebe in Port Elizabeth on Sunday.
Qoboshiyane, who is the ANC’s Eastern Cape head of elections, was accompanied by the Nelson Mandela Bay regional leadership to attend a resurrection service.
He was given an opportunity to speak where he encouraged the congregation that churches have a supporting role to play in government.
Also that service delivery was done by civil servants who were active members of churches and that in serving their communities, they should do so with love and be Christ-like.
UDM leader Bantu Holomisa attended a service at Burning Bush Ministries in East London.
Speaking to the congregation, Holomisa touched on patriotism, saying it was not only about big issues like defending democracy, but it started with taking care of your environment and not littering.
He also said it was also important to the be able to elect a good calibre of leaders. He said leaders should be able to defend the truth and when in the wrong, should acknowledge that.
At Ngcolosi 12 village, the ANC was reportedly chased away by the headman and villagers.
Headman Ntsokolo “Gwebecimele” Gquma said: “As the headman in this area, it is my duty to know who does what in the village.
“I received reports from concerned residents saying there were people going into their houses saying they wanted to register children for IDs.
“We did not know who they were or who sent them.
“We summoned them to come and report what exactly they were doing. One of them phoned Xolile Nkompela.
“I told him it was unacceptable that they just come to a village without informing the traditional authority about it.”
Nkompela could not be reached for comment.
However, ANC OR Tambo regional secretary Lulama Ngcukayithobi said “it would be a pity that has occurred”.
“Without verifying facts, it should have been courteously for the ANC just to notify that traditional leader concerned.
“It is a matter that we need to follow up.
“But it would be very unfortunate if any traditional leader would go to an extent of chasing campaigners away knowing very well that people have a right to campaign for elections.” — Additional reporting by Siya Boya
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