Zille on the job in Limpopo

Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille has promised to highlight what she called the "serious failure of basic service delivery" in Limpopo.

Zille was on a two-day charm offensive in the province this weekend to canvass support and revive party structures ahead of next year's local government elections.

On Friday, the DA leader attended the unveiling of a water tank in Indermark, a rural village where people must travel many kilometres to get clean water.

Zille said the community, which falls under the Blouberg municipality, has 5000 households, few of which have running water or electricity. Their toilets are pit latrines.

"This is clearly a serious failure of basic service delivery on the part of those in government," said Zille.

"We arranged with some local farmers to set up this water tank in order to ensure that people can get water."

The DA leader blasted the ANC-run Blouberg municipality officials, saying they had not spent any of their R88-million budget by the end of August.

Zille also visited the Phela O Phedise feeding centre for 50 orphans. The feeding centre's staff of eight, including manager Mary Lamola, 34, have not received salaries or grants since October last year.

"I am going to take it up with the provincial government to find how can this happen," said Zille.

Yesterday, she addressed the party's provincial council in Polokwane. She urged councillors to do their jobs and make sure the DA is represented in black areas.