Some Soweto residents bemoan govt for failing to improve lives

JOHANNESBURG - With the country marking 30 years of democracy, some Soweto residents have bemoaned the government for what they called a failure to improve lives.

Hundreds of community members listed their grievances to political leaders during 702's election townhall at the Diepkloof Multi-purpose Centre on Tuesday.

ALSO READ:

- Some Soweto residents want assurances that govt won’t loot NHI funds

- Elderly Soweto residents slam ANC's handling of youth unemployment

- Soweto hostel residents pleased with CoJ's service delivery efforts, hoping ball is no dropped

Unemployment, crime, and housing issues are some of the concerns raised by a majority of community members.

Tempers were running high and community members were unhappy as political leaders made their final submissions ahead of next week's elections.

Soweto resident, Mmeli Gebashe, was one of many who told political parties present that the notion that life had become better since 1994 wasn’t entirely true.

"We want to be taken to school so that we are skilled and know how to run and contribute to the economy."

He wasn’t the only person with similar grievances.

"Our township economy will never be developed. Unless they stop the export of our goods, our mainstream economy will never be fixed."

However, all the parties that were present claimed they were well-equipped to address their concerns with urgency.