Young people in Dr Kenneth Kaunda's district in the North West say they need a political party that will bring about change and end what they see as “organized slavery”.
They were speaking on the sidelines of the launch of the state manifesto of the newly formed African Union for Transformation (UAT) in Klerksdorp, ahead of national and state elections in two weeks' time.
Participants said they hoped that given the opportunity, the party would be able to provide better services and remove gangs from their areas.
Those attending the presentation expressed dissatisfaction with what they saw as 30 years of neglect.
“I'm still young, so I expect a lot of changes. We've been a democracy for 30 years, and the situation hasn't changed.”
“People receiving treatment in public hospitals should first be given free food before they receive their medicine. The question is, where are you going to get that free food? Because we have different backgrounds. ”
“We have a murderer in our section that we don't know about. And nothing is being done about it. That in itself is a crisis because we live in fear. ”
UAT Chairman Dr. Bantu Wander Mahlatsi said their first pillar is expropriation of land without compensation.
“The issue of land acquisition without compensation is at the heart of our manifesto. And we are committed to giving land to the people of South Africa and to the people of the region here in the North West. And when we talk about land , we talk about what's underground, the minerals, and we talk about the surface of the earth where we grow food. So we talk about rivers and mountains, so that we can feed people. We want the land returned to its real owner.”
Mr Maharatsi highlighted improving health services as another priority.
“We say we will give you free medical assistance. But what we are focusing on is that Auntie must eat before taking medicine. We’re going to fight hunger.”
The party is contesting nationally and in five provinces except all three Cape provinces and KwaZulu-Natal.
I'm Tavern Moltrois from Klerksdorp.