Zuma: Race doesn't rule poverty

2008-07-24 21:21

Pretoria - Poverty is one of the biggest challenges that faces most South Africans and it does not discriminate on racial lines, said African National Congress president Jacob Zuma on Thursday.

He was addressing a gathering of more than 1 000 poor white residents in the city's Bethlehem settlement.

At what he referred to as a historic day, Zuma, flanked by Social Development Minister Zola Skweyiya and Tshwane mayor Gwen Ramokgopa, told the people that the government was committed to hearing and resolving their plight.

"We are dealing with problems that affect our people and they are problems of life and death."

He said he was "shocked and surprised" by the reality of poverty in the white population, but that he was "itching" to interact with the people to find solutions.

Poor not restricted to blacks

Zuma said he had met businessmen, wealthier Afrikaners and farmers, but had not been aware until recently of the poor white Afrikaners in the Tshwane area.

"All this time I did not realise a section (of the population) could be referred to as poor whites."

He said when he met with trade union Solidarity - which hosted and organised the gathering - before his first visit to the settlement, it was only then he became aware and realised the importance of concentrating on the poor.

"They told me there is poverty... I said are you sure? They said 'absolutely sure'."

Solidarity general secretary Flip Buys said poverty was still the biggest problem for poor black people, but that "new white poverty" was growing fast.

Between 1997 and 2002, he said, white unemployment had risen by 106%.

"The problem is, it isn't politically correct to talk about white poverty, but poverty knows no colour."

Skweyiya echoed the sentiment, saying white poverty was not a myth.

He said government had come to listen to the people and was committed to resolving their problems.

Gathering shows there is a need

"There is a perception that there is no poor among the white people.

"This (large gathering) proves beyond a reasonable doubt that this a myth."

Ramokgopa said it was not the first time that she had been working with the poor whites in her municipal area and she would continue to work with the new ward councillor to bring about change.

She said rising food and energy costs could also "tip" those who were just above the poverty level into a poverty situation.

She further urged people to register for social grants.

"We need to ensure that this city is a caring city and that we uproot poverty."

Founder founder of the Uncle Ben's Den mission and shelter Sharan de Lange said she would wait and see if Zuma and the government would deliver on their promises.

"I'm positive, but I'm a girl who wants to see. It's good, but only if they do what they promise."

Water and electricity

She said her mission, which housed just over 100 homeless and elderly people, had not received any help from the government, only from Solidarity and various religious organisations.

Her biggest complaint was the water and electricity tariffs which she wanted the government to subsidise.

She paid between R10 000 and R12 000 a month for the services.

"If this [the subsidy] comes out of this meeting, then I will be glad."

Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Mulder said Zuma's visit to Bethlehem gave the party hope for the future of the country.

- SAPA