By Anita Dangazele
- Qunu residents told Mashatile they feel abandoned since Mandela’s death, saying they only see government officials during election campaigns.
- Mashatile visited the local reservoir and said it will soon supply clean water, promising faster action to improve rural services.
The people of Qunu, Nelson Mandela’s birthplace, say they have been forgotten since his death and left to survive without clean water.
For more than 10 years, families in the Eastern Cape village have been forced to fetch water from unsafe streams.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile visited Qunu on Thursday after weeks of protests. In August, residents blocked the N2 highway for over six hours to demand action.
Villagers told him they only see government leaders during elections.
“Ever since utata [Madiba] passed on in 2013, we have not seen anyone from government visiting this village,” said one resident.
Nobantu Sandlana, 67, said: “If Madiba was still alive, I know we would have water by now. They would at least respect him, but now our rights are being violated.”
Mashatile visited the local water reservoir with Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation David Mahlobo. He promised it will soon deliver clean water to homes.
He also pledged faster delivery of rural services, support for traditional leaders and job creation.
Mashatile and other officials visited small business and farming projects, including the Siphe Development and Capacitation Agency in Kaplan Village, which trains new farmers.
He praised the project for creating jobs and mentoring local farmers.
Pictured above: Deputy President Paul Mashatile during a working visit to Qunu in the Eastern Cape.
Image source: Supplied
