By Zukile Majova
Political Editor
Hot on the heels of the most popular politician in KwaZulu-Natal, the ANC is sending its premier candidate Siboniso Duma to KwaXimba, west of Durban.
A fortnight ago, Jacob Zuma gathered a crowd of over 10,000 people at the site of the ANC’s biggest branch in South Africa.
KwaXimba, which is Ward 1 in the eThekwini Metro, is the ANC’s strongest ward in KZN.
Zuma’s public display struck a raw nerve and even fears that the ANC could indeed face an implosion because of Zuma’s uMkhonto Wesizwe party.
Others claimed the largely rural population was drawn by the presence of maskandi artist Mthandeni, whose song “Paris” is widely regarded as the real song of the year by fans of the genre.
The rural youth saw it as a free concert of a massively popular artist.
The other reason for the residents of KwaXimba to flock to Msholozi’s rally is because they are frustrated by the ANC-run eThekwini Municipality, which has failed to provide them with basic services for months.
Half of the population of KwaXimba has been without water for many months and fetches water from water tankers, using 20-litre buckets.
Just a few months after voting 87.48% for the ANC in the last municipal elections, the community complained about poor service delivery, youth unemployment and poor infrastructure.
Both eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda and Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube have made promises to end KwaXimba’s water woes but there are still areas in eThekwini where community taps have been dry for over 100 days.
On Sunday 11 February, Duma, who is widely regarded as the most unpopular candidate ever fielded by the ANC for the position of KZN premier, is going to KwaXimba.
Duma recently crossed swords with the ANC Women’s League and the social media community for undermining and publicly ridiculing the premier on numerous occasions.
As ANC provincial chairperson, Duma is the premier’s political boss and the ANC’s next premier, should it win the upcoming elections.
The Women’s League accused Duma of being a male chauvinist.
“The actions of comrade Siboniso Duma demonstrate a regrettable departure from this essential value (gender equity), perpetuating harmful gender stereotypes which have no place within the ANC or in broader political discourse,” said ANCWL deputy secretary Dina Pule.
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Pictured above: Jacob Zuma pulls thousands to his uMkhonto Wesizwe rally in KwaXimba.
Source: X
