When residents of Ekuvukeni heard that President Cyril Ramaphosa would be visiting nearby Dannhauser to open a school, they travelled there by bus to go and ask him questions.
This comes after a community protest at Ekuvukeni in March when Community Safety and Liaison MEC Mxolisi Kaunda was forced to abandon a meeting with the community, as members demanded to see the president instead. As previously reported on Localvoices.co.za, Kaunda was accused of lying to and disrespecting the community.
Community members are angry about the lack of water and broken sewage pipes. A contractor was sent to the area after this incident, but residents have still insisted they want their grievances heard.
The towns are around 75km apart, near Newcastle in KwaZulu Natal.
President Ramaphosa was in the area with MEC for Economic Development, Tourism & Environmental Affairs Sihle Zikalala and MEC for Education in KwaZulu-Natal Mthandeni Dlungwana to officially open the R130m Enhlahleni Primary School.
Despite their trip to see the president on 17 April, they were not given an opportunity to ask questions. Disappointed pupils’ and residents of Ekuvukeni said they still want to speak to the president and the Minister of Basic Education. – Nqubeko community radio (edited by Siya Motha)
