By: Natasha Archary

Independent Candidate Anele Mda has unveiled her election manifesto at the Constitution Hill in Women’s Jail cell in Braamfontein.
On Thursday, 18 April, Mda vowed to be an ethical and accountable leader should she return to Parliament.
Mda is one of 11 Independent Candidates contesting the upcoming National and Provincial elections.
With promises she will champion job creation and make strides for inclusive economic growth, the former COPE member says she wants to change the outcome of the country’s direction.
Anele Mda said the decision to run as an Independent Candidate was a clear and conscious one which was not made overnight.
“It comes after many years of reflection on the state of our country, and also after 30-years of democracy and the party-political hegemony that has been at the helm of this country, I took the decision to look at state of our country in the most truthful manner and I want to move the country forward.
I want South Africans to ask themselves, is this how far the trajectory of democracy is going to take our country?
If we are saying no, this is not the way to go then we must ask the pertinent question, ‘what must we do as South Africans?’
I was born in politics, politics met me at my birth. I was born into a family who have always been political activists and my grandfather was very deliberate and intentional in introducing me to politics.
There’s so many challenges that stand against a woman leader in society in general and I didn’t rise to the decision to contest the elections because I’m a woman, I am here because I believe every single person must rise as a leader.”
Anele Mda
Mda slammed political parties because of their inability to administer basic services because of corruption, and denounced the country’s internship programme which she says is not benefitting the youth in their struggle to find employment.
The single mother says she understands the plight of poor South Africans, having spent 2-years on the streets with her son.
In order to complete her matric and afford to support her son, Mda says she took on domestic work just to be able to afford school fees, uniform and food.
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