ADDRESS BY JANE NAIDOO
FORMER MEMBER OF MINORITY FRONT

Craigieburn : 30 April 2006  

Just over a month ago both Lydia Moodley and myself had been rigorously campaigning on the election trail, both in Ward 99, Umkomaas and Ward 98, Illovu, and in the process made the Minority Front a household name and captured a combined total of about 3,400 votes. 

Today, the 30^th of April 2006 I, Jane Naidoo, and my entire team of volunteers that have stood under the banner of the Minority Front, officially step out of this party and into the ranks of the Inkatha Freedom Party. 

I am certain that your heads may be pounding with all the questions that are running through your minds.  The most important being – was this move prompted by disillusionment?  Let me enlighten you.   

Yes, we have been disillusioned by the fact that despite obtaining a large number of votes, the Minority Front did not see it fit to place councillor representation in this area.   

Yes, it is a fact that of the thirteen Minority Front councillors in the Ethekwini Municipality, only one happens to be a woman. 

Yes, it is disillusioning to realise that the area of Umkomaas is not rated as a priority area on the Minority Front’s agenda.  It seems that the areas of Chatsworth and Phoenix receive any attention for the leadership. 

Yes, it is a fact that we are not the first women to leave the Minority Front. 

Yes, it is a fact that we had to be content with underhanded tactics and infighting within the Minority Front during the election. 

Yes, it is a fact that no senior member of the Minority Front had chosen to grace the area of Umkomaas with their presence before or during the run up to the local government elections. 

And no, I wish to very categorically state, that no funding or resources of the Minority Front was channelled into Umkomaas for election costs or the daily running of Minority Front structures. 

During the course of July 2004 to December 2004 a Minority Front office was opened at the Ramdial Centre for a period of six months, but the venture had to be aborted due to financial constraints of the party and a lack of proper office equipment. 

With all these factors taken into consideration, one may wonder how was it possible to reach the heights that we had.  The answer to that lies in the selfless effort, dedication, hard work and determination that ordinary women had contributed to this extraordinary achievement.  Of course the factor that bonded us all, was the vision we shared for the upliftment of Umkomaas.   

Today in all sincerity, I can say that this step to join the IFP was not dictated by disillusionment or resentment.  On the contrary, our efforts in trying to bring about transformation in the lives of our people had begun with a vision.  In the spirit of Freedom Day that has just passed by, I would like to urge our community to break free of your shackles of uncertainty and fear of the unknown.  This country boasts of a people of diversified cultures and backgrounds, so embrace each other in one accord.  The Indian community cannot and should not remain an island.  To do so would be detrimental to the welfare of future generations.  

The importance of what is going on may not be totally absorbed today, but in time to come.  As minorities we should not be misled into feeling prejudiced and remaining isolated, because the creation of an effective and efficient system cannot be achieved unless there is participation of all race groups in the mainstream of South African politics.

 At the core of all discussions with Mr Narend Singh, one aspect has been highly categorised, that of service delivery.  One such issue that seriously affects this community is the backlog of grants and pensions in the form of reviews and the confiscation of files by the Sihle Consortium.  This has affected our people across the board with resulting suspensions.  Many people in the interim have lost their lives whilst others living below the breadline have been severely prejudiced.  I am really glad that the MEC for Social Welfare is present here today so that some light could be shed on this issue.  There are numerous other issues like housing and road safety that plague this town, but unfortunately time does not allow me to expand at this moment. 

Members of the community, I want to assure you, you have no reason to fear.  Titles and positions do not make a person, it is the commitment that makes the difference.  Today you have cause to celebrate because forces have united.  In Mr Singh you have your very own hero of Umkomaas.  A man who has chartered the course of people who are yet to follow in his footsteps.  A man who has reached the heights of South African politics and at the same time contributed more than his share to his hometown of Umkomaas.  I refer especially to the New Haven Housing Project Phase 3, the addition of six classrooms at Umkomaas Drift Primary and the construction of the very hall in which you are seated.  According to Mr Singh his work is not yet done.   

Finally, to my team of wonderful, dedicated volunteers and supporters, thank you for sharing this momentous decision with me.  As I always say, “No leader exists without a team and no team exists without a leader”.  It has been a pleasure working alongside with and for you. 

Thank you.