MTHATHA, Eastern Cape — Residents of Maiden Farm, still recovering from devastating floods, confronted visiting African National Congress officials with urgent demands for accelerated housing delivery, improved basic services, and more inclusive community engagement.
The visit, part of an ANC National Executive Committee outreach initiative, was led by National Chairperson Gwede Mantashe. Community members utilized the platform to highlight ongoing struggles months after the 2025 flood disaster—and previous climate-related events—displaced families and damaged local infrastructure.
Before addressing the public gathering, Mantashe held closed-door consultations with regional party structures. Earlier in his itinerary, he engaged with university students who raised concerns about campus accommodation and the management of the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). The scheme, recently placed under administration, faced criticism from some students who argued it should be discontinued entirely.
At the Maiden Farm venue, displaced residents emphasized that temporary arrangements persist despite repeated promises of permanent housing solutions. One attendee reflected on the cumulative frustration: “There’s a lot of issues,” noting that prior engagements with officials had not translated into measurable progress on recovery commitments.
Service delivery shortcomings across Mthatha and surrounding areas featured prominently in community feedback. Residents described inconsistent water supply, inadequate sanitation, and delayed infrastructure repairs as compounding the challenges faced by flood-affected households.
Economic hardship emerged as a unifying theme. A local spokesperson articulated a stark reality: “We are the most rich in unemployment.” Community members expressed interest in launching small enterprises but cited insufficient access to startup support, training, or financing. References were made to a 23 July milestone, though participants noted that anticipated assistance had not yet arrived.
Youth representation also drew attention during the engagement. Several younger attendees observed that community dialogues tend to be dominated by residents over the age of 35, leaving emerging voices underrepresented. One participant noted that many unemployed graduates in the area feel excluded from decision-making processes, contributing to a sense of disconnection from local development initiatives.
The ANC, as the governing party in the OR Tambo District Municipality, faces mounting pressure to demonstrate concrete results on recovery and service delivery. While the outreach provided a channel for grievances, residents stressed that sustained, actionable follow-up—not periodic visits—is essential to rebuilding trust.
As Mantashe prepared to deliver remarks to the assembly, the mood among attendees remained cautiously expectant. Community members reaffirmed that lasting solutions to housing, employment, and youth inclusion are critical to meaningful recovery in flood-impacted parts of the Eastern Cape.
