While South Africans participated in local government elections on Wednesday, residents of Tantyi location decided to stay away from voting stations.
They said that lack of service delivery and the government's failure to deliver on promises was what caused them to stay away from the polls. Thandeka Tom, 59, said that she was tired of empty promises made by the ANC leaders. “I hate voting for people who only think of themselves, and use government money for their needs. I've voted since 1994, but nothing has changed. I still do not have an RDP house, though I registered for it,” said Tom.
Another Tantyi resident, Qinisekile Tame, 51, complained about the dirt roads and lack of RDP houses: “We always vote, but there's nothing happening. Other areas are being developed, but nothing is happening in Tantyi,” he said. Siyabulela Mahabeni, 26, of Vukani location said he decided not to vote because he was still unemployed. “When there's a project here, only certain individuals benefit from the project,” said Mahabeni.
Some residents, who did not want to be named in fear of victimisation stated that they were disappointed by ANC rule as they were still living in shacks. “The ANC has not kept their promises of a better life for all,” said another resident. One resident was determined to vote even though she had also been disappointed by the ANC, “The ANC came with the policy of electing the candidates, but they chose their own preferred candidate, instead of the candidate that we wanted,” she said.
