Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema said prisoners had better access to basic services, in contrast to people in Alexandra township in northern Johannesburg.
Malema was addressing thousands of EFF supporters on Freedom Day as the country reflects on 30 years of democracy.
He lamented the fact that prisoners enjoy better living conditions than residents of Alex.
“Alex has no water, but the prison has water. Alex has no electricity, but the prison has electricity. The load is relieved in Alex, but not in the prison.” There's no food in Alex, there's no food in prison. There's no flush toilet in Alex, but there's a flush toilet in prison. Everything you don't have in Alexandra, they have in prison. What does it mean? Alexandra is worse than prison because the prisoners have a better life than the people in Alexandra. Don't worry, on May 29th we will flush from prison to Alexandra. We will deliver toilets, electricity, and food.”
Mr Malema appealed to Alexandra residents to make the right choices at national and provincial elections in May.
Freedom Day I EFF supporters gather at Alexandra Stadium.
As one of the oldest townships in the country, Alexandra has received over R1 billion in government funding through the Alexandra Urban Regeneration Project, which was established in 2001.
However, Alexandra residents continue to suffer from housing shortages, insufficient water and poor sanitation amid reports of mismanagement and missing money, and community protests ahead of the 2019 general election. It is carried out.
EFF solution
Dikeledi Ntsemane (79), a resident of Alexandra township, has lived under apartheid and democratic systems. Although she admits that a lot has changed in the past 30 years, she believes the EFF is the solution that will move the country forward.
“I was an ANC supporter, but I lived in a dilapidated house. Now through the EFF, I am one of three elderly women whose house was renovated by the party, so she I have hope for you.”
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Mote, who was just 10 years old when the country went to the polls in 1994, shares similar sentiments.
“Things haven't changed for me in the last 30 years. I hope the EFF government can turn things around.”
Post your vote
Party supporters in Alexandra insist that Freedom Day can only be held after the vote.
“Now that I'm living with hope, I still don't have a place to live. EFF, EFF has to win the election.”
“I don't see anything under this government. But as per Malema's promise, I will celebrate Freedom Day one day.”
“I believe that on May 29th, Freedom Day will start to mean something, because I have never seen freedom.”
Mr Malema further told supporters that if the EFF were to rule after the vote, the party would professionalize its Nasi Spain program in Gauteng.
EFF leaders have implored residents of Alexandra township to free themselves from the clutches of the African National Congress (ANC) government before the May 29 vote.
Freedom Day | EFF commemorates this day in Alexandra.