MTHATHA, Eastern Cape — Flood-displaced families in Maiden Farm gathered to voice frustrations over delayed housing projects, inadequate service delivery, and sluggish recovery efforts as senior African National Congress (ANC) leaders, led by National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe, conducted a National Executive Committee outreach programme in the area.
Community members used the engagement to raise longstanding grievances months after the 2025 floods—and earlier disasters—disrupted lives and infrastructure. Residents expressed disappointment that previous attempts to raise concerns with officials had yielded little tangible progress on permanent housing solutions for those still displaced.
Mantashe, who held preliminary meetings with party structures before addressing residents, also engaged with students at a local university earlier in the day. There, young people raised issues around institutional accommodation and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), which has recently been placed under administration. Some students called for the scheme to be scrapped entirely.
In Maiden Farm, residents highlighted persistent service delivery challenges in and around Mthatha. One community member noted that despite repeated efforts to engage authorities on flood recovery, responses have been inadequate. “There’s a lot of issues,” the resident stated, emphasizing the compounded impact of recurring disasters and unmet commitments.
Unemployment emerged as a central concern. A community spokesperson underscored the region’s paradox: “We are the most rich in unemployment.” Residents expressed desire for support to venture into business and create jobs, but noted a lack of tangible backing for local entrepreneurship initiatives. Reference was made to a 23 July timeframe, though community members indicated promised support had yet to materialize.
Young people in attendance voiced feelings of marginalization in community engagement processes. One resident observed that older community members dominated the dialogue, while youth—who face high unemployment and limited skills development opportunities—feel increasingly disconnected from decision-making structures. “They don’t even get killed [included],” the resident noted, reflecting broader disillusionment among younger residents regarding government responsiveness.
The outreach comes as the ANC, as the ruling party in the OR Tambo region, seeks to reconnect with communities grappling with intersecting crises. However, the persistent lack of permanent housing for flood victims, coupled with ongoing service delivery shortfalls, continues to fuel community frustration.
As Mantashe prepared to address the gathering, residents remained hopeful yet skeptical, emphasizing that meaningful action—not just dialogue—is needed to restore trust and accelerate recovery in flood-affected areas.
