The Gymnasium at Winnie Madikezela Mandela town covered in grass

Winnie Madikizela Mandela town residents continue to demand services and jobs.

This is following the name change from Brandfort to Winnie Madikizela town, which saw residents deface the new name citing lack of consultation and how the name change was politicking as this was just ahead of local government elections, and residents started to demand jobs and services.

Step Up SA News took a short left just to see how things are, post-elections and was greeted by potholes mere 500 meters into Majwemasweu from the R30.

The potholes are so bad they are on both ends of the road and they look very old.

As the journey continued it led to Winnie Madikezela Museum where this publication reported extensively about personnel that is always being paid late and to this date, nothing has changed.

It is reported that the security personnel guarding the museum were paid their January salaries on the 10th of February, and the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture, and Recreation is fully aware and has turned a blind eye.

It must also be noted that the security company guarding the museum has been on a month-to-month contract with the department for three years and year in and year out the department invited bidders for security tender which they never appoint.

Last year the department asked for suitable bidders to at least have R800 000 in their accounts and that was seen as anti-black.

Next to the museum is Brandfort Sports Centre which was clean during Step Up SA News’ last visit, now the gymnasium and the entire center are both covered in grass.

A resident and youth leader who spoke on condition of anonymity blamed this on politics.

“I wish they had listened to what former president Thabo Mbeki said about services, they are busy running after the coffers and fail to cut grass, provide water and sanitation as well as jobs.”

Another resident said elections are gone so are the promises.

“When we said they are electioneering you thought we are lying, where are they now? This name change brought us nothing.”

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