Five days to go: Nongoma and Nkandla residents want change as local elections approach

Brothers Aphiwe and Mlondi Shezi for Nkandla.

Residents in Inkandla, and Nongoma believe their votes will tackle water outages, unemployment, and illegal foreign-nationals after November 4.

The sundaytribune.co.za took to the streets of Durban and asked residents if they would go to the polls next week.

Many said poor service delivery, high unemployment and rising crime were among the key issues motivating them to vote in the upcoming local government elections.

Siyabonga Buthelezi, 37, from Nongoma, said he would vote for change in his area.

"We are facing many challenges in our area due to lack of service delivery. I believe that my vote will make a change in my area. We have constant blackouts, water outages, roads are not fixed and crime incidents are on rise," he said.

Buthelezi advised people to go out in numbers and vote for change.

"Most people do not know that if you do not vote, you are automatically giving other useless political parties a chance to govern. There is a need for people to vote for the party that they believe will bring change to their lives," he said.

Buthelezi advised boycotting election day would not bring change, but a vote will.

Another Nongoma resident Mcedisi Zondi, 31, said if people needed change they should exercise their constitutional right to vote.

"I am going to vote because I want to see the reduction of the high unemployment rate and crime in my area. I strongly believe that a wise vote would change the challenges we are facing in our areas," he said. 

Aphiwe Shezi, 22, from Nkandla, is ready to vote next week.

"My vote will go to the party that I believe will tackle the issue of illegal immigrants in our area. There is a large number of illegal immigrants in our area and this is an issue that needs urgent attention from local authorities," he said.

Shezi believes that the party he will vote for will bring more jobs for young people to tackle the high unemployment rate. 

Aphiwe's older brother Mlondi Shezi, 25, said it was hurting him to see so many unemployed youth roaming the streets. 

"This is not only bad for our economy but also causing young people to be involved in crime. We have many power and water outages in the area. I think that my vote will change the current situation," he said. 

Mlondi believes that the local government elections will create change in many areas if people vote wisely. 

He urged residents to unite and fight against the illegal immigrants in their areas. 

"We need jobs, running water from the taps, constant power, and reduction of crime incidents. Time to bring change to you has arrived," Mlondi said.