Sowetan: Jobless plan to turn their backs on ANC

http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2010/09/02/jobless-plan-to-turn-their-backs-on-anc

Jobless plan to turn their backs on ANC
02 Sep 2010 | Mhlaba Memela |

THE Unemployed People’s Movement in KwaZulu-Natal has vowed to “cripple” the ruling ANC in next year’s local government elections if government fails to provide decent work and a guaranteed income for the unemployed and poor.

Addressing a gathering at Umlazi’s Glebelands Stadium, south of Durban, yesterday, UPM chairperson Nozipho Mnteshana said they had taken a resolution to ensure that there will be no vote from the poor and unemployed for government.

Mnteshana said the unemployed and poor had been “played by the ANC-led government for many years”.

She said the UPM is not affiliated or linked to any political party.

“We demand that government provides decent work or a basic income grant to poor and unemployed people.

“These are the people that voted this government into power, yet the very government had not addressed their needs,” she said.

She said the unemployed and poor should receive a monthly stipend of at least R2,500 from government.

She added, “government has money because they were able to construct magnificent stadiums for the World Cup”.

“Millions of poor people are starving. Government can cough up billions to ensure people who voted them into power do not sleep without food,” she said.

Mnteshana also launched a scathing attack on President Jacob Zuma, saying “he only cares about marrying more wives instead of dealing with poverty”.

The UPM gave food parcels to the people who attended the gathering.

Thulebona Khwela, 69, from Shongweni Dam, said the little food he received from UPM would make a difference to his family because his pension was not enough to provide for his unemployed children and grandchildren.