The African National Congress (ANC) in KwaZulu-Natal says it will reprioritise the province's industrialisation and reactivate factories that were closed during the tough economic times.
The pledge was made by ANC provincial chairperson and premiership candidate Siboniso Duma, who said it would secure jobs for South Africans.
He was addressing a large audience at the provincial Siyanqova rally in Madadeni, Newcastle, an important mineral and manufacturing centre in KwaZulu-Natal.
But the closure of several industries, such as steel and textiles, has put these sectors under pressure, with some businesses unable to reopen due to the impact of COVID-19 and looting during the 2021 unrest.
Duma says: His government will introduce measures to stimulate the economy.. He said a stable energy supply would allow the textile and mining industries to survive.
“The energy issue has to be resolved. It is something that is affecting them. I would go so far as to say that we are addressing the ArcelorMittal/Iscor issue. We do not want Newcastle to become a ghost town during our time in charge. We are saying that industrialisation of the Amajuba area should be prioritised. The area is also rich in mineral resources.”
2024 Election | ANC campaigning in Newcastle:
Locals lament the lack of water, electricity and jobs in the area, but say they trust the ANC to improve service delivery.
“The ANC is out of power in Newcastle and we are in a difficult position. We have no running water or electricity and the local government is not taking sanitation seriously.”
“We don't have jobs. We need employment to feed our families. The ANC has done a lot of good work so far but we still need more.”
The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal is urging its supporters to turn out in large numbers to help it take power without having to form a coalition.
