Common ground was finally established between the Unemployed People’s Movement (UPM), the Rural People’s Movement and the mayoral committee after the parties had failed to reach agreement at their previous meeting.
Common ground was finally established between the Unemployed People’s Movement (UPM), the Rural People’s Movement and the mayoral committee after the parties had failed to reach agreement at their previous meeting.
The parties met at the council chamber on Tuesday to follow up on the municipality’s response to their grievances.
One of the major issues was Grahamstown’s unemployment rate, with another being access to land including the commonage areas. UPM leader Ayanda Kota stated that the unemployment rate in Grahamstown has reached an extreme degree and that "most of the people affected are woman in youth."
Kota also said that unemployment is one of the issues that contribute to the abuse of woman and children. UPM member, Mallet Phumelele Giyose, asked for an investigation into possibilities to create more work.
Giyose, said natural resources, such as kaolin mining, could have a measurable impact on job creation. He also discussed the issue of commonage land being made available for grazing, however he pointed out that at present there is not sufficient infrastructure.
Councillor Julie Wells, who was chairing the meeting, suggested that the UPM elect a person or task team to serve as a link between the municipality and the movement to address the issues raised. Both movements, the UPM and RPM, agreed to the proposal.
Names of individuals or task teams that will be elected for dealing with all the stated issues are expected to be submitted to the municipality.
Wells also stated that the municipality was "making efforts in various sectors to address these issues". She said the municipality had analysed the commonage issue and looked at carrying capacity.
Regarding the employment issue Wells said "the creation of small businesses is part of Local Economic Development, which falls under the municipality. However, Wells added that the creation of short-term employment falls outside of the municipality’s responsibility.
Director of social and community services, Mandisi Planga, said that the municipality has set aside about R3 million for the upgrading of infrastructure and commonage.
He also said that they have submitted a skills training proposal to government departments to assist farmers. Other issues that will continue to be discussed are emerging farmers, SMME development and an expanded worker programme.
The president of the Rural People’s Movement, Nomonde Mbelekane, also raised the problems of access to land and burial sites for rural people.
"There’s an old cemetery that is now being used as a golf course and people feel that their ancestors are not being respected," said Mbelekane. She also said that the municipality needs to mobilise funds from provincial government and increase the amount of land for grazing and production.
