MBOMBELA — Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) President Julius Malema paid a courtesy visit to a party supporter in Zwelisha, near kaBokweni in Mbombela, on Tuesday, responding to a scene at last month’s provincial manifesto launch where the woman was seen overcome with emotion.
Residents seize chance to put local problems to Malema
The supporter, identified as Nombuso Khoza, had travelled to eMalahleni for the EFF’s provincial manifesto launch. Malema was not conducting a door-to-door campaign in Zwelisha but made the visit to Khoza after footage of her reaction circulated following the launch.
Neighbours and other residents gathered around the EFF leader and used his presence to press long-standing concerns about basic services and economic opportunity in their area. The issues raised included unreliable water and electricity supply, severely potholed roads and limited employment prospects for matriculants and other young people.
“What I would like him to help me with is to get a job, to help us with water, electricity, roads and other things,”
Another resident told Malema they wanted assistance so young people who have completed matric could either find work or return to school.
Malema links infrastructure failures to lost tourism potential
Malema vowed to address the service delivery problems facing Mbombela and said the EFF would prioritise infrastructure and job creation in the province. He warned that poor roads undermine the municipality’s tourism potential despite direct flights from Cape Town.
“This place has got a direct flight from Cape Town, full of tourists who, after landing here, are subjected to potholes to the size of kiddie’s swimming pool,” Malema said, arguing that improving roads could have strategic economic benefits for the municipality, province and country. He added the EFF had deployed its deputy president as the mayoral candidate for Mbombela to show how seriously the party regarded the area.
Promises and political context
The visit was nominally a personal courtesy call but quickly took on a political character as residents aired grievances. Malema said the party would concentrate on making Mbombela an example of change, referencing Nkomazi, Nkangala and Bushbuckridge as other areas the EFF would seek to transform.
He also commented on national policing issues, urging the recently reinstated National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, to use his position to restore order and discipline in the South African Police Service.
Immediate local impact and residents’ priorities
Residents used the opportunity to demand tangible improvements. Their priorities, as reported during the visit, were:
- Road repairs — resurfacing and pothole maintenance on routes used by residents and tourists.
- Reliable water and electricity — restoring consistent municipal services to households.
- Employment and education — job opportunities for young people and support for matriculants to access work or further study.
| Issue raised | Resident concern |
|---|---|
| Roads | Large potholes affecting access and tourism |
| Water and electricity | Intermittent supply and need for reliable services |
| Youth employment | Jobs for matriculants and opportunities for youth |
What this means for Mbombela
The visit brings national-level attention to a ward in Mbombela where residents say municipal services have been inadequate. Political leaders visiting communities can intensify scrutiny on municipal performance and highlight specific service backlogs, but residents will likely judge follow-through on promises at the ballot box and in daily life.
For residents, the next concerns will be whether the EFF’s stated focus on infrastructure and employment translates to project planning, budget allocations and visible improvements on the ground. Local stakeholders, including the municipality and service providers, have not yet been reported to have responded to Malema’s visit or the residents’ appeals.
The interaction in Zwelisha illustrates how national political campaigns intersect with everyday service delivery issues in Mpumalanga towns, where tourism potential, municipal infrastructure and youth unemployment remain persistent challenges.
Reporting from Mbombela, this account summarises the visit and the issues raised by residents. EFF statements at the provincial manifesto launch and the content of Malema’s remarks were included in reports of the visit.
