By Naadiya Adams

South African politicians are undergoing an intensive week as the country heads to the polls on November 1^st. Its an exciting time and electioneering is happening in every corner of our rainbow nation but picking the right party to govern a municipality is not an easy task.

On Sunday, October 24^th Police Minister Bheki Cele visited ward 61, which covers the Erasmia, Laudium, Claudius and Itereleng areas, in support of local ANC candidate Naeem Patel, Cele says a vote for Patel is a vote for the ANC.

In his address on Sunday, Patel highlighted various issues in the community, but says one thing communities have always been able to enjoy under the ANC is to practice your religion of choice freely.

“Not only the Muslim religion but every religion in this country has been protected by the ANC, people ask what has the ANC done? Sometimes we need to go back … look at religious freedom, we can pray where we want to, the Adaan, the only areas its banned is where the DA is in control,” said Patel.

Patel referenced renowned Palestinian activist Muna El-Kurd who has been in South Africa recently.

“She said: please don’t vote for the DA because the DA is standing against Palestine. This is the first time we see an international activist with that kind of influence calling to support the people of Palestine by voting ANC,” said Patel

Patel says, over the past five weeks many of the issues facing the community have been resolved with respective Ministers being directly involved, with regard to the on going water issue in the area that matter has been raised but has yet to be addressed.

“I must say to the Minister, this is traditionally an ANC area, we always win elections here and we say a message from us as the community of Laudium, go back to the NEC and say to the President, we will deliver this ward again to the ANC,” declared Patel.

He also pleaded that in order for the ward to be effectively run, ANC needs be voted for on both ballot papers. He says its integral that the ANC controls Tshwane.

“Counsellor Farook is here, we know under the last 5 years under the DA rule in this area, we’ve had a tough time. We could not get delivery of infrastructure, we could not get any kind of delivery in the last 5 years. The previous 10 years we all know, Farook Essop has delivered all 15 years but the last 5 years have been very difficult,” said Patel.

According to Patel, Cele attended to the call by the ANC of Ward 61 without hesitation and has also agreed to a Crime Imbizo in the near future.

“We know in our area crime has been high, we’ve had a few hijackings over the last few weeks, last week we had the kidnapping of the pharmacist Fareed and crime in the community has been on the increase in recent years,” said Patel.

Polls will open at 7am on November 1^st and the ANC remain confident they will take Ward 61. The IEC is set to launch the national elections results centre in Tswane on Tuesday.