We, the ordinary people in this country, are a majority bound together by rampant poverty, underdevelopment, diseases, unemployment, illiteracy and all sorts of things associated with hardships and neglect.

We, the ordinary people in this country, are a majority bound together by rampant poverty, underdevelopment, diseases, unemployment, illiteracy and all sorts of things associated with hardships and neglect.

In these trying times we need to take care of each other, share with our neighbours the little that we have, and establish strong bonds of brotherliness and sisterhood.

Let us make sure we create strong families that will shield us from being vulnerable.

Let us forget about the rhetorical politicians who use us for their own selfish interests.

They continue to remind us about their role in the struggle against apartheid. But they forget to tell us that they are stinking rich because of their political connections.

Their interests are against the interests of the poor, their lifestyles are characterised by arrogance and greed.

We, the poor, are basically on our own, so let's take it from there and create our own community organisations to fight poverty and hunger.

And shame on the greedy politicians who are nothing but a law unto themselves.

Together we stand. Let us bond to fend off immoralities.

Our spirit as Africans is that of resilience and survival against the odds.

And one day we are going to be victorious!

Obed Masemola, Lyndhurst