Limpopo independents in bid to ‘save SA from ruin’

The stakes are high for independent candidates as they race to garner enough votes that will secure them seats in the National Assembly.

Two candidates in Limpopo, a former boxer Lovemore Ndou and community activist Faith Phathela, have thrown their hats in the ring to contest the May 29 provincial and national elections.

The duo says it wants to represent the voice of the marginalised as Members of Parliament (MPs) have historically cared more about towing the party line instead of putting the needs of the communities, they represent first.

Ndou says his love for South African made him join politics. He says he decided to leave behind a successful life in Australia because he could no longer stand by and watch his motherland being run to the ground.

He says that he initially planned to contest in the 2029 election under a political party but changed his mind and decided to take advantage of the changes in the country’s electoral laws, which granted him a chance to run for office as an independent candidate.

Ndou says he is currently conducting a nationwide tour, visiting various communities in an effort ensure that society takes a leap of faith towards giving independent candidates a chance to represent them.

Phathela is another independent candidate who hopes she will make it to Parliament after the upcoming hotly contested polls, which come as the country marks 30 years of democracy.

The 36-year-old community activist from Louis Trichardt says frustration over continued male dominance in the political sphere is what made her decide to run for public office.

Phathela believes that political parties are not a solution to South Africa’s problems and independent MPs can change the country’s trajectory by holding the governing party to account, which she says still enjoys support from most South Africans.

She says if elected to the National Assembly, she will push for the state to play a more active role towards creating job opportunities as the current Social Relief Grants are not eradicating poverty. Written by YNews Correspondent, Bukuta Nkuna.