Several grassroots social movements are fielding their own candidates in next week’s municipal elections to woo voters fed up with mainstream political parties.
“People used to boycott or used the spoilt ballot strategy but now they have realised the need for better public representation by contesting elections,” said Trevor Ngwane, a veteran social movement activist.
The Soweto-based Operation Khanyisa Movement (OKM) has already proved that social movements can make a difference. In 2007, its Dube councillor, Zodwa Madiba, took the battle against pre-paid water meters to the Supreme Court and won.
“Being the only pro-left councillor in the chamber was a challenge,” said Madiba. “I was not taken seriously by councillors from other political parties and they would often pass negative remarks about OKM’s capabilities.”
The movement, which has a membership of 2 000, will contest five Soweto wards in next week’s election.
The Motsoaledi Concerned Residents (MCR), with 500 supporters, will stand in Ward 24. MCR candidate Lucky Ngobeni said mainstream political parties had failed to deliver. “We have been voting for politicians for the past decade and we never received any joy. Now people want someone who shares the same experiences as they do,” he said.
People’s movements are politically active in other parts of the country too. The Socialist Civic Movement (SCM), based in Balfour, Mpumalanga, is one. Its election manifesto — to relocate the community, which has long been a service delivery hotspot, back within the borders of Gauteng. The SCM, which was formed in January this year and has 1 800 members, is contesting six wards in Balfour and fielding a mayoral candidate, former Pan Africanist Congress councillor Dumisani Ndoda. Ndoda believes his experience will “bring about change” and deliver what the community needs.
The SCM is an amalgamation of political parties, religious leaders and social activists, who have been at the centre of the service delivery protests in the town.
But the ANC appears unconcerned by the emergence of social movements as a political force. “These elements stand no chance of winning any ward in ANC strongholds,” said ANC Gauteng spokesperson, Dumisa Ntuli. “We have been going to different communities to clarify confusion and lies spread by those few in our branches who refuse to accept democracy,” he said.
But people like OKM supporter Charles Nyantumbo remain upbeat. “Even if we don’t win on May 18, the struggle against prepaid water meters, electricity cut-offs and housing will continue,” he said. “We will make it in the next election.”
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