Enough is Enough: Vaal Triangle Movement's Peaceful Stand
Loading player...
On JustGospel's Faith at Work with Malefa Siou, Vaal Triangle Movement organizers Thomas and Bongi detailed their Friday march against Emfuleni Municipality's service failures—emphasizing peace, unity, and dignity.
Why Now?
"We decided it's enough. Our youth won't have a bright future if things continue like this," Thomas explained. "This is community against municipality—not racial, not political. We're unhappy with how the municipality treats us. There's no progress, no future light."
Issues: crumbling roads ("potholes looking like dams"), garbage removal failures, estimated water meter readings for years, incompetent service, and being "sent from point A to B to C to D" without solutions. "We're treated like criminals. We did nothing wrong."
The Peaceful Difference
"We don't want history to replay itself—stones, tire burning, damaging infrastructure. We want community standing together peacefully," Thomas emphasized. "Everything is according to law. Every permission needed, we got. This is the new way of solving problems. We want to be an example."
Bongi added: "We're not fighting the municipality. We just want to open dialogue. We went to traffic department yesterday—they're coming on board to ensure peace. We're covering all avenues for control and order."
What They Want
"Our grievances heard. Dignified roads. Garbage picked up timeously. Safe living. Youth employed," Bongi listed. "We're hoping they'll come to the table and listen. Not only for us but for our youth. One lady owes the house R10 million on her bill. If we don't fix it now, our houses get repossessed when we're not here. Municipality owns Falkland Ridge—that's what we're avoiding."
Thomas: "You've got to give a cow grass before it gives milk. Give us services, then you get the money line. The municipality doesn't own the community. The community owns the municipality—without community paying, there's no municipality."
The Relationship Crisis
"It's been hostile. We raise awareness saying debt collectors are here, let's chase them out while our bills are wrong, garbage isn't picked timeously," Bongi explained. "That's why we started this movement—let's engage. Probably they'll see things our way and bring dignity."
Thomas's example: "I bought a place in Songlam Park. I'm struggling almost three years to register it in my name due to old body corporates and outstanding amounts. Nobody gives explanations. They just want money. You get bullied, sent around without solutions."
The March Details
Friday, September 19th, 8am: Start at Skippy Boeta corner and Houtkop Road (Planet Africa area). Convoy with traffic and police through Ekso Mittal, Friki Meyer to fire station in Vanderbijlpark. Arrive 8:30am. Depart fire station 9am on foot down Frickie Meyer to municipality offices to hand over memorandum.
"We're not blocking roads—just disrupting because of numbers. Like when a funeral passes, you wait. This is peaceful," Bongi clarified.
The Unexpected Success
Sunday's convoy "was such a success. I cried watching videos of conditions we're living under. Really, are we really living like this? It highlighted we needed to stand up long ago. But we're awake now."
The movement started small—Falkland Ridge, Sunglen Park—but grew. "Communities of Sebokeng, Evaton, Sharpeville wanted to join. We can't exclude them. Let's include everybody and sing with one voice."
Thomas's transport appeal: "We request businesses, taxi owners—donate even two taxis so communities can attend when we deliver our memorandum."
A Pensioner's Revival
Thomas, retired three years: "I thought this was just to solve my problem. As it grew, I told my daughter: I start to feel I mean something to people again. I feel worth it. That Godly Spirit comes in—you're not dead yet. Be the voice. Maybe that's my part. It made me whole again."
It's building family. "We're not friends anymore—we're becoming small family. Our country needs that."
Youth Employment Focus
"Poverty is big in Vaal Triangle.
Why Now?
"We decided it's enough. Our youth won't have a bright future if things continue like this," Thomas explained. "This is community against municipality—not racial, not political. We're unhappy with how the municipality treats us. There's no progress, no future light."
Issues: crumbling roads ("potholes looking like dams"), garbage removal failures, estimated water meter readings for years, incompetent service, and being "sent from point A to B to C to D" without solutions. "We're treated like criminals. We did nothing wrong."
The Peaceful Difference
"We don't want history to replay itself—stones, tire burning, damaging infrastructure. We want community standing together peacefully," Thomas emphasized. "Everything is according to law. Every permission needed, we got. This is the new way of solving problems. We want to be an example."
Bongi added: "We're not fighting the municipality. We just want to open dialogue. We went to traffic department yesterday—they're coming on board to ensure peace. We're covering all avenues for control and order."
What They Want
"Our grievances heard. Dignified roads. Garbage picked up timeously. Safe living. Youth employed," Bongi listed. "We're hoping they'll come to the table and listen. Not only for us but for our youth. One lady owes the house R10 million on her bill. If we don't fix it now, our houses get repossessed when we're not here. Municipality owns Falkland Ridge—that's what we're avoiding."
Thomas: "You've got to give a cow grass before it gives milk. Give us services, then you get the money line. The municipality doesn't own the community. The community owns the municipality—without community paying, there's no municipality."
The Relationship Crisis
"It's been hostile. We raise awareness saying debt collectors are here, let's chase them out while our bills are wrong, garbage isn't picked timeously," Bongi explained. "That's why we started this movement—let's engage. Probably they'll see things our way and bring dignity."
Thomas's example: "I bought a place in Songlam Park. I'm struggling almost three years to register it in my name due to old body corporates and outstanding amounts. Nobody gives explanations. They just want money. You get bullied, sent around without solutions."
The March Details
Friday, September 19th, 8am: Start at Skippy Boeta corner and Houtkop Road (Planet Africa area). Convoy with traffic and police through Ekso Mittal, Friki Meyer to fire station in Vanderbijlpark. Arrive 8:30am. Depart fire station 9am on foot down Frickie Meyer to municipality offices to hand over memorandum.
"We're not blocking roads—just disrupting because of numbers. Like when a funeral passes, you wait. This is peaceful," Bongi clarified.
The Unexpected Success
Sunday's convoy "was such a success. I cried watching videos of conditions we're living under. Really, are we really living like this? It highlighted we needed to stand up long ago. But we're awake now."
The movement started small—Falkland Ridge, Sunglen Park—but grew. "Communities of Sebokeng, Evaton, Sharpeville wanted to join. We can't exclude them. Let's include everybody and sing with one voice."
Thomas's transport appeal: "We request businesses, taxi owners—donate even two taxis so communities can attend when we deliver our memorandum."
A Pensioner's Revival
Thomas, retired three years: "I thought this was just to solve my problem. As it grew, I told my daughter: I start to feel I mean something to people again. I feel worth it. That Godly Spirit comes in—you're not dead yet. Be the voice. Maybe that's my part. It made me whole again."
It's building family. "We're not friends anymore—we're becoming small family. Our country needs that."
Youth Employment Focus
"Poverty is big in Vaal Triangle.
