In the remote desert town of Pomfret, near Botswana’s border, 75-year-old Vieira Monte, who is black, ties a Democratic Alliance (DA) poster to a tree. Monte’s support for a white government is an oddity in a town known for its low voter turnout and dilapidated conditions. Pomfret houses veterans of the 32 Battalion, a unit of black soldiers recruited by apartheid-era South Africa to fight against Angola’s communist regime. Post-war, these soldiers were relocated to Pomfret, becoming neglected by society.
With crumbling infrastructure and scarce amenities, Pomfret is a shadow of its former self. Residents, struggling with unemployment and sporadic electricity, feel abandoned. The government has made attempts to relocate them, citing asbestos hazards, but locals see this as punitive. Disillusioned, many like 29-year-old Anna Hongolo, doubt voting will bring change, believing that promises of water and electricity are mere political lip service. Despite political visits, skepticism reigns in this forgotten town.
Original Source: Daily Maverick
Date: 2024-04-21 20:11:01
www.dailymaverick.co.za