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Lenasia goes for ANC
MEMS MOOSA
Roving Reporter
THE many doubts that still remained over who the majority people in Lenasia will look to for leadership were dispelled when President Kgalema Motlanthe, and deputy president of the ANC came face-to-face with the community on 24 February at the Gandhi Hall.
Security officials and marshals had to close the hall’s doors early as every seat was taken before the President’s arrival.
Motlanthe, who has been known for his steady leadership, under trying circumstances said: “Elections are to be held on 22 April at a time of global meltdown. It is not often countries go to elections in such times. Our prudent regulatory framework in the financial sector has cushioned us against technical direct impact of this financial crisis and recession.
“Whatever your means, live within your means. If you live above those means the result is misery. A rule applying to all as much as to countries,” said Motlanthe. “The ANC manifesto clearly states we must prioritise, we must not try to do everything, chances are that we will not able to succeed. The key among priorities is education, the fruits of this investment would be there for the picking in the future.
He said other priorities were health, jobs and rampant crime. “We must ensure that our health system is accessible. The manifesto says that national health must cover all the people. The struggle for jobs is also a struggle for dignity. Young children must be given the best of education and the best conditions for development. Abject poverty
deny our people dignity. The aged must be the main recipients of social grants.
“Crime committed in a home is a most serious crime, because your home ought to be your security and the lacksidaisical manner of public servants delivery is linked to corruption. Public servants must always be conscious of their duties to communities and conscious of the dangers of accepting sweeteners, and we can defeat corruption”
The president offered unequivocal support to the Palestinian’s cause. And it must be on an ongoing basis to free the Palestinians from the yoke of oppression and “help them to achieve unity, and engage them so that they struggle as one people with one voice”.
He said the ANC was a struggle organisation, formed to struggle for the people, to improve their condition. “We will engage the struggle, to improve conditions and we will bring a change.”
While the President received a rousing welcome, luminaries such as Enver Surty, Minister of Justice and Development; Vally Moosa, National ANC Executive cadre; Ismail Vadi; Ahmed Kathrada and Gauteng Premier Paul Mashatile shared he stage with the President.
The President and the Premier answered several critical questions on education, housing, reckless utterances by Julius Malema, the death penalty, role of the media, support for the Sri Lankan issues; decamping the Israelites – supporting the Palestinians; and farming rights among others.
Vadi was the moderator. The evening ended with a photograph session, with the President and his entourage and the local ANC Lenasia branch members, and the large contingent of signatories who pledged their support for the ANC in the forth coming election and, who believe that the ANC’s Election Manifesto serves as a balance framework for the socio-economic and political era of our country, for the next five years
source:Lenasia Indicator
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