Some residents of Soweto where newcomer ActionSA garnered votes say voting in smaller parties to take care of their needs was better than remaining in a cycle of broken promises from bigger parties.
ActionSA made significant inroads in some voting districts in the townships.
As counting of votes trickled in on Tuesday, ActionSA appeared to have been popular among some township residents.
Pitso Motshabitshabi, 33, a resident in ward 16, Phiri, Soweto, said the preliminary voting results from Seanamarena Secondary School voting district appeared to reflect his community’s intentions of what they wanted after the elections.
Ward 16 comprises Mapetla, Tshiawelo and Protea North. “The [former] councillor in this area used his powers to enrich his friends and the only development that takes place is in his area of the ward. He doesn't care about us,” said Motshabitshabi.
Another resident said their councillor failed to ensure that services were delivered to them during his tenure.
Sibongile Mokoena said their businesses were affected by the influx of foreign nationals' businesses in their area.
“My cousin used to run a spaza shop, but he had to close his shop when foreign nationals started opening their own shops and selling things at a lower price. Mashaba will help us to regulate and protect the business interests of locals,” said Mokoena.
Mokoena said they have been unable to make a living and that they have limited opportunities at earning an income.
By Tuesday evening, ActionSA was leading the pack at another voting district of Power Park Community in Ward 25 with 42.8% of the votes, followed by the ANC with 30.6% of the votes.
Ward 25 had eight voting districts and the ANC could still garner more votes from the seven voting districts.
Gerrard Marumo, a resident in the area, said ActionSA’s campaigns convinced his community of the work that the party was capable of doing.
“You can't trust politicians because they lie a lot, but Mashaba was a businessman and he ran the City of Johannesburg very well. He did a lot in a short period of time he was the mayor. His party was also an alternative from the other parties that we know and that is why they are winning this voting district,” said Marumo.
In Protea Glen, where another voting district was won by the party, residents said they were surprised by the ANC's poor showing.
ActionSA managed to secure 34% of votes at the Protea Glen Primary School voting district, compared to the ANC’s 32%.
In Protea Ext 28, residents complained about the poor structural design of their houses and that they had a problem with electricity.
Mantwa Mkheseng said it came as a surprise to her that the ANC was lagging behind the newcomers.
“I think people want change. They want a party that will resolve their issues. The state capture commission also opened the eyes of many people and they do not have one party having complete control of things,” said Mkheseng.
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