At Scaw Metals, workers met outside the gates of the company. They were given just one hour to discuss and question their ANC leaders about the elections.
They came with their ikhafuthini (lunch boxes) still full of food. Some workers looked tired, they just sat down to rest while they concentrated on their ikhafuthini . Others didn’t want to be seen. They sat right at the back eating.
The leaders arrived, led by Cosatu’s Joyce Phekane and the ANC’s Jabu Moleketi. The ANC leader spoke of the progress his party has made and the remaining projects that they still have to carry out.
Workers asked many questions about houses, job security. All were answered confidently. But then one worker asked: “Where have you been for so long since we voted you in 1999? And now you are only coming to us again today because there is another election coming!” Workers clapped their hands and laughed shouting “BUA”.
“As the ANC we have been meeting with people in residential areas through our councillors and the President has also been meeting people at imbizos,” Moleketi countered . ” It is unfortunate that the comrade is asking this kind of question.
But the worker was referring to the spot where Moleketi and the other leaders were standing. That is where he had last seen them five years ago!