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Elections have come and gone and yet people are still facing the same problems they faced before elections.
To the ANC, who won the 2019 elections, it would be a sign of respect and great direction to rebuild cohesion and forge unity among the people of this nation by continuing to campaign, like you did for votes over the past few months. I write this to plead with you to continue that great campaign, to go around the country to thank those loyal supporters by opening their empty refrigerators and leaving them with some fruits and maybe even a proper meal.
In being the best among politicians and earning the respect you deserve as a “liberation movement”, it would be appreciated if you can once again crisscross the country, thanking the voters who stood by you through these crying times. They have proven their loyalty by keeping you in power, regardless of how you have failed in fulfilling the electorate’s previous dreams and ambitions when given the chance.
To the ANC, you can thank the people without hosting celebration bashes in every corner of the country. We are all aware of how much it costs to hire artists, provide catering, book expensive accommodation and buy expensive alcohol – is this the public image you would like your voters to remember you by?
I have lived in many places in the Eastern Cape, with short stints in Ngqeleni, Whittlesea, Mthatha, Motherwell and Cookhouse. In all of these places I see people loitering around with no hope, wearing ANC T-shirts and being loyal to you, with nothing to take home to their families at the end of the day. They need jobs, houses and access to quality health care and services. They do not need a slice of a cake, they do not need KFC, they need quality life.
Continuing to spend large sums of money on booze and braai meat is killing our future, especially considering that a healthy lifestyle is what is advocated by the ministry of health. How can we contradict Dr Aaron Motsoaledi’s ministry like that? Leading by example goes a long way.
Our people need hope. This is a humble appeal and plea to not disappoint your electorate again by giving them empty promises.
“Let them eat cake,” the famous words uttered by Marie Antoinette when her people were pleading for food seems to resonate with us.
Flashy celebration bashes and the “Instagram lifestyle” is not what the people from rural areas need.
Let these elections be a catalyst to serving the communities that need you most. Hopefully, this respectful plea will be seen by the eyes and heard by the ears of the leaders who will be tasked to decide over the future of the poor majority, the people who have trusted you with their vote.
People do not need parties, they need quality life. Show your appreciation accordingly, ANC.
* Fani is a communications officer based in the Eastern Cape. He writes in his own capacity.
