Jacaranda FM Newswatch - Interviews

Jennette Mabena is a widow who lives with her four children in one room at 12th Avenue. The eldest is 29 years old.

She said although there has been some improvement since the advent of democracy, she would like to see her unemployed children also receive RDP houses. Latest news on our website

One of the elderly residents in Alexandra is Victoria Smith, she voted for the first time in the country’s first democratic elections.

Smith said she has benefited from democracy with the awarding of an RDP home by the government.

Smith said although others did not receive their RDP houses, she is optimistic the government will build more houses. Latest news on our website

As we count down the days to the elections on 29 May, many of South Africa’s born-frees are hitting their 30’s – and will cast their vote at an important stage of their lives.

They are the country’s so-called Tintswalos who – according to President Cyril Ramaphosa grew up in a democratic South Africa where there is free education, healthcare and housing.

However, Tshegofatso from the Alexandra Women's Hostel said the story of Tintswalo does not resonate with her – as she is still waiting for a decent house.

Like many born-frees in Alexandra, Tshegofatso is sharing a one-room flat with her mother in the hostel named after anti-apartheid activist Helen Joseph.

Despite being an employee for the Johannesburg municipality, the 30-year-old woman said her salary is not enough to buy a house.

Over the years government has vowed to demolish the hostel and convert it into family units, however nothing has been done since. Latest news on our website

As we count down the days to the elections on 29 May, many of South Africa’s born-frees are hitting their 30’s – and will cast their vote at an important stage of their lives.

They are the country’s so-called Tintswalos who – according to President Cyril Ramaphosa grew up in a democratic South Africa where there is free education, healthcare and housing.

While democracy has bettered the lives of many, Tshegofatso said after matric she was unable to benefit from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme, as there was no one who could assist her with the online applications. Latest news on our website

As we count down the days to the elections on 29 May, many of South Africa’s born-frees are hitting their 30’s – and will cast their vote at an important stage of their lives.

They are the country’s so-called Tintswalos who – according to President Cyril Ramaphosa grew up in a democratic South Africa where there is free education, healthcare and housing.

Tshegofatso said it is better to re-elect the governing ANC than to vote for a party that she does not trust.

With less than two weeks to the polls, residents are reflecting on the gains and loss of three decades rule of the ANC.

She said that the people's living conditions have been improved over the years but there is still more that needs to be done. Latest news on our website

The Alexandra Renewal Project has been a political hot potato for years and has been used by opposition parties as an example of the ANC’s service delivery failures.

The multi-billion-rand Presidential Urban Renewal Project was expected to deliver some one million houses to residents, but so far, the promises made by the government’s failed to materialise.

In the meantime, the township continues to face a housing crisis.

One of the residents and former Housing Department employee, Thabo Mopasi, said he, too, is still on the waiting list for an RDP house.

During the 2019 general elections campaign, President Cyril Ramaphosa told Alexandra residents that the government would build one million houses in the next five years.

However, this has not materialised as many Alex residents still await their promised houses.

Mopasi was one of the residents listening to President Ramaphosa at the Alexandra stadium in 2019 when he made housing promises, he said the community has lost confidence in the ANC government. Latest news on our website

The High Court in Johannesburg has dismissed Facebook rapist Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magudumana’s urgent application to have Showmax’s documentary interdicted from airing. Latest news on our website

ANC Youth League President Collen Malatji has urged Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi to prioritise hiring ANC volunteers through the Nasi Ispani job initiative. Latest news on our website

He answered questions in Parliament on Thursday after tabling his budget the previous day. Latest news on our website

"Last year, we assured the people of Gauteng that e-tolls would be a thing of the past. I am happy to report that on the 26th of January 2024, a final meeting was held between the Gauteng provincial government and the ministers of finance and transport, respectively,” Lesufi said. Latest news on our website