THE Sterkspruit Civic Association (SCA) distanced itself from the visit by Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille and Eastern Cape leader Athol Trollip who were in town yesterday.
About 500 people converged at the Bensonvale College Hall to listen to Zille and Trollip and aired their grievances
“We are not part of the DA and we did not call Zille to come here. As the leadership of the civic we have nothing to do with that meeting,” said SCA chairman Mcebisi Mgojo.
He said the association was apolitical and was not sympathising or associating with any political party.
The DA said Zille had been invited by the community, but made no reference to the SCA.
Zille’s visit came after the Sterkspruit community organised themselves under the umbrella of the SCA and demanded a standalone municipality independent of Senqu Municipality, which they accused of favouring Lady Grey and Barkly East.
Residents complained to Zille and Trollip about the lack of service delivery, saying the ANC government was not serious about their concerns.
However, Zille and Trollip said the issue of demarcation was difficult, and the process was run by an independent body.
Despite this, they said the ANC still tried to manipulate the process, giving the example of the attempt to have Matatiele fall under KwaZulu-Natal’s administration.
Trollip promised to raise issues picked up in Sterkspruit in Parliament, while Zille said she would write to President Jacob Zuma, even though his Presidency was notorious for not responding to her.
Zille appeared to be kick-starting her 2014 general election campaign and called on them to change the political landscape of Sterkspruit by voting the DA into power.
She announced Trollip would be the DA’s candidate for the Eastern Cape premier’s position.
Sterkspruit traditional leader Brownly Pitso, who is an SCA member and member of the UDM, welcomed Zille’s visit saying it would keep the ANC government on its toes.
Sterkspruit is an ANC stronghold with claims 97% of the population voted for the ANC in previous elections.
The Sterkspruit Business Forum said it would remain independent, but chairman Welile Mbolekwa said the DA would make an impact.
“This is history in the making – that an organisation, perceived as white, makes inroads here,” said Mbolekwa.
The visit by Zille comes a month after Cooperative and Traditional Affairs Minister Richard Baloyi was in the town urging the community to apply to the Independent Municipal Ward Demarcation Board to become a standalone municipality.
Baloyi established task teams including members of the SCA and provincial and national government officials, to investigate the grievances of the Sterkspruit community.
The SCA suspended their strike action which shut down the town to give the Baloyi programme a chance to find solutions. —
Zille sets DA sights on Sterkspruit
About 500 people converged at the Bensonvale College Hall to listen to Zille and Trollip and aired their grievances
“We are not part of the DA and we did not call Zille to come here. As the leadership of the civic we have nothing to do with that meeting,” said SCA chairman Mcebisi Mgojo.
He said the association was apolitical and was not sympathising or associating with any political party.
The DA said Zille had been invited by the community, but made no reference to the SCA.
Zille’s visit came after the Sterkspruit community organised themselves under the umbrella of the SCA and demanded a standalone municipality independent of Senqu Municipality, which they accused of favouring Lady Grey and Barkly East.
Residents complained to Zille and Trollip about the lack of service delivery, saying the ANC government was not serious about their concerns.
However, Zille and Trollip said the issue of demarcation was difficult, and the process was run by an independent body.
Despite this, they said the ANC still tried to manipulate the process, giving the example of the attempt to have Matatiele fall under KwaZulu-Natal’s administration.
Trollip promised to raise issues picked up in Sterkspruit in Parliament, while Zille said she would write to President Jacob Zuma, even though his Presidency was notorious for not responding to her.
Zille appeared to be kick-starting her 2014 general election campaign and called on them to change the political landscape of Sterkspruit by voting the DA into power.
She announced Trollip would be the DA’s candidate for the Eastern Cape premier’s position.
Sterkspruit traditional leader Brownly Pitso, who is an SCA member and member of the UDM, welcomed Zille’s visit saying it would keep the ANC government on its toes.
Sterkspruit is an ANC stronghold with claims 97% of the population voted for the ANC in previous elections.
The Sterkspruit Business Forum said it would remain independent, but chairman Welile Mbolekwa said the DA would make an impact.
“This is history in the making – that an organisation, perceived as white, makes inroads here,” said Mbolekwa.
The visit by Zille comes a month after Cooperative and Traditional Affairs Minister Richard Baloyi was in the town urging the community to apply to the Independent Municipal Ward Demarcation Board to become a standalone municipality.
Baloyi established task teams including members of the SCA and provincial and national government officials, to investigate the grievances of the Sterkspruit community.
The SCA suspended their strike action which shut down the town to give the Baloyi programme a chance to find solutions. —
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