The monument that was unveiled today in the North West is nothing more than a monument to corruption and unemployment.
We were deeply saddened by the living conditions and the environment surrounding the huge and shiny monument. Only a kilometre from the monument, residents of Groot Marico have no running water. See video here.
Due to a dysfunctional and neglected sanitation plant, the area is also experiencing severe sanitation problems. Just a stone’s throw from the monument, sewage is flowing into the river that children swim and play in.
We believes that this monument is a slap in the face of every South African that is struggling to find a job, that suffers the non-delivery of basic services and is affected by ANC corruption, mismanagement, the downgrading to junk status, poor economic growth and the looting of state resources.
We have written to the provincial government, requesting a full disclosure of the cost of this monument. We also asked for a detailed breakdown of the expenditure for the unveiling ceremony – including the busing in of the ANC’s “rent-a-crowd”, the hundreds of food parcels as well as the luxurious tents and catering. We are convinced that this money would have been much better spent on basic services to the poor and hungry residents of Groot-Marico.
We have a great respect for the rich heritage of our country. But we will never support the waste of state funds while so many of our people still go to bed hungry every night.
May this monument be a daily reminder to every resident of this otherwise neglected province of the damage that our broken president, Jacob Zuma, has caused this country.
