THE women pensioners from Ward 93 in KwaZulu-Natal who were considered hypocrites for switching their loyalties from the ANC to the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) were honoured on Women’s Day.
The elderly women gathered at the Ezimbokodweni Community Hall in Ward 93, KwaMakutha, on Friday for an event hosted by the MKP, to celebrate the pensioners for their loyalty to the political party, and in commemoration of Women’s Day. Food parcels were handed to them.
The women, commonly referred to as “Ogogo base 93”, received a backlash for their decision to vote for the MKP instead of the ANC in the May 29 elections.
In a recording that was widely shared after the election results, a woman could be heard lamenting her disappointment at the pensioner’s decision.
“My heart aches, MamCele. We were up and down, MamCele, and dispatching cars for these grannies from Ward 93 who said that they would be voting for the ANC. We were up and down with ANC vehicles only to be duped by old women who voted for the MK. I have never seen anything like this. These old women are wicked but God will see them.
“We have fed them so much in 93. There was one which I even delivered food parcels to and I gave them everything and the rubbish woman would even receive vegetables from the ANC. I would even steal from the councillor’s office and feed her, only to find that I am feeding her for the MK.
“I have had enough of Ward 93. I feel like dying because of these women who are dogs,” she said in the recording.
The MKP spokesperson in the eThekwini region, Bonginkosi Dlamini, said the programme was aimed at bringing joy to the elderly women of the ward.
“They have been trending during and after the elections for the good work that they did, which was to stand for what is right and fight for change, due to seeing the struggles that their children faced.
“They took the bold decision to remove those who are abusing them and to vote for the MK instead in order to improve their lives,” he said.
Dlamini reassured their supporters that their votes were not in vain and that services would be delivered.
“It is only a matter of time. The MK Party is the one that holds the majority votes in KZN, but what happened? The thugs have stolen our votes and did things according to their desire. Ours is to make sure that we change people’s lives,” he said.
One pensioner, aged 70, said that she was happy with her decision to vote for the MKP and that while there had been many other parties that came after the ANC, it had never occurred to her to join them. She said that when she heard of the MKP, she got her membership card.
She said that she was attracted to the party because she was confident that it would bring about change.
“Those who have been stingy and treated us harshly will be brought to book. We know that (former president Jacob) Zuma is generous. He will also teach his volunteers and followers to follow in his footsteps like he is doing. We are very happy,” she said.
The pensioner said among the challenges they faced was a lack of proper housing.
She said although they had encountered a lot of verbal abuse on social media over their decision to vote for the MKP, she had no regrets.
Another pensioner, 63, said she was grateful to Zuma for the food parcels.
“What inspired me to vote for the MK is the fact that we had struggled for far too long. There were many promises that had been made and that our children would get jobs. Now we are asking for job opportunities for our children who are educated but are unemployed.
“We chose the MK Party because we want change and we are hopeful that Msholozi will look after us,” she said.
She said the criticism received from the public over their decision was upsetting, but it did not deter them.
“They said what they said, with some even threatening to feed us poison, but we kept our faith in God that one day the MK would emerge victorious,” she said.
A third pensioner, also aged 63, said her decision to vote for the MKP was inspired by the lack of service delivery.
“There are many things that we need here. Our children are not working, but there are many firms around this area. We want jobs for our children because you find that they hire people from very distant areas. We want change,” she said.
There was expectation from some that Zuma would be at the event, but Dlamini said he was not part of the programme.