African People's Movement (APEMO) leader Wikisita Mlotswa said her party wants foreigners to be tested before entering the country and only those without sufficient skills to be employed. .
He was speaking at a campaign rally in rural Bergville in the state's west.
He argues that investing in small businesses such as spaza shops should be left to South Africans.
APEMO is a splinter party from the National Liberal Party and was formed two months before the 2021 local government elections.
Residents decry lack of service provision
Hundreds of people packed into a community center in Bergville's Emanfemfeteni district.
The hall's broken windows are just one sign of poverty in this rural area deep in the Drakensberg foothills.
There are almost no herds of cows or even goats in this area.
Farmhouses have electricity, but people only have pit toilets and water must be drawn from wells or rivers.
Thabani Zulu said the gravel road leading to the farm becomes impassable when it rains.
“They built us a road, this main road that goes up to Cathedral Peak in the mountains and leads to the hotel. But here, inside this place, there are no roads like that. Even if there is such a small road, it will give us a small road, but it is difficult to travel.When it is raining, the road cannot be used. If you need an institution, you have to move and you have to go to the main road.”
Other residents Nondumiso Sihole and Ntombifti Ndaba agree that the main challenges facing people in the area are inadequate roads, electricity and water.
“I come from one of the poorest rural areas in the region…I come from a farm and I need water and electricity. And one more thing: I have irregular (outage) power outages that are not related to load shedding. Also, the power infrastructure is damaged and Eskom cannot repair it.”
“Our vote will make a big difference because we have full confidence in our leader Mr Mlotswa. We don’t have proper roads. The last time we had proper roads was , when he was previously mayor and passed through Mlotswa. Water and electricity issues are a big concern, but we believe Mr Mlotswa will be up to the task.”
job creation
Mr Mlotswa addressed people at the community center and said the party would create more job opportunities.
He wants the age limit for employment in the government's expanded public works program to be removed from 35 to 59 years old.
Mr Mlotswa said: “We need skilled people and we have to invite (them) to South Africa. But don't take the people who come here to stay. Because we tend to sell drugs and sell expired food to our children. Our children buy sweets, cakes, etc., but they end up getting sick and dying. ”
Privatization of power generation
Because of load shedding, APEMO wants domestic power generation to be privatized.
Mlotswa says: “Because Eskom is lonely right now. That's why if Eskom says it's dark today, it will stay dark. So we have to give other people a chance to power us too. So… people are confused and business is down because of this lack of supply.”
party highlights
Mlotswa said APEMO was able to secure nine municipal seats in KwaZulu-Natal and one seat in Mpumalanga within 60 days of its formation.
He said they were contesting elections in KwaZulu-Natal and at the national level.
The party also has cooperation agreements with pan-Africanist parties, the African People's Congress and African Unity Transformation, to strengthen mutual support at the polls.
Video | African People's Movement releases manifesto in Bergville: