'Forgotten' Roodepan residents question need to vote in elections

KIMBERLEY - As South Africans take to registering and updating their personal details on the last day of the IEC weekend voter registration drive, residents of Roodepan have questioned the intentions behind the move, with some arguing it's for political reasons.

This comes after an African National Congress (ANC) councillor in one of the wards switched to the Patriotic Alliance (PA), sparking a by-election that saw the ANC lose control of the ward to the PA. 

This is where President Cyril Ramaphosa launched a R1 billion housing project just a few weeks ago.

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 The battle for the heart of Roodepan amongst political parties is a hot topic here. The ANC lost its one-seat majority recently and must rely on coalition partners to vote with them in council meetings.

Residents of Roodepan have long complained that they are the forgotten ones, sitting far outside the central business district. 

They said they only feature in campaigns when elections loom. 

The rundown municipal flats are derelict and unsafe, sewage runs down the streets and into houses, while freshwater leaks from the bulk water supply lines, where fields of reeds now flourish. 

Eric Kok, an entrepreneur and an award-winning filmmaker and playwright, tells the stories of his people.  

He said the youth in Roodepan must make their voices heard by voting.
 
"Despite the challenges that we face, I do believe we can make a difference. We have the power to vote for change," said Kok.

Parties are furiously canvassing for votes during the registration window, with the streets once again alive with party volunteers and councilors in brightly coloured T-shirts, playing loud music.