Ramaphosa says Tshwane visit reaffirms Gauteng is ANC’s home
The ANC president spent Sunday campaigning for the ANC in Mamelodi, assuring residents their grievances would be addressed if the ruling party returns to power in the capital - now run by a DA-led multiparty coalition.
ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa led a door-to-door voter registration campaign in Mamelodi, Tshwane on 4 February 2024. Picture: @MYANC/X
JOHANNESBURG - African National Congress (ANC) President Cyril Ramaphosa said his visit to Tshwane reaffirmed that Gauteng is the home of the ruling party.
An ANC cohort spent the weekend across the province during the voter registration weekend, campaigning and encouraging residents to vote.
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The loss of Tshwane to the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the 2021 local government election is a blow that the ruling party is still reeling from, and its efforts to regain the capital as its turf could be seen on Sunday.
Ramaphosa spent the day in Mamelodi and took the opportunity to critique the DA’s leadership.
“We have come across a lot of rubbish and filth in the township, and this is the municipality’s responsibility. They are the ones who are supposed to be cleaning and providing water, and this is where the DA says where they govern – they govern well.”
Scores of people followed Ramaphosa as he made several stops, with a large crowd surrounding him at the Mams Mall who were asking him for photos, money, and handshakes.
“As I have been going around, people are saying we belong to the ANC, and we support the ANC, so we are confident. I can feel the pulse of our people, and I can smell the victory.”
The president promised to address Mamelodi’s persistent water crisis, saying it’s been escalated to the premier’s office.
‘WE WANT THE ANC BACK IN OFFICE’
Ramaphosa’s visit to Mamelodi ignited mixed views and emotions, varying views among residents who were experiencing similar struggles.
“We are still going to vote for the ANC even if we are living under such conditions,” said a Mamelodi resident.
This has been a recurring theme among some residents in the township who complained about the filth, lack of water, and joblessness in their communities.
An 80-year-old Letta Mahlangu, clad in the ANC’s green and yellow, ditched church on Sunday to show her support for the governing party.
“The ANC was working for us in Tshwane when they were in power – we want them back in office so our lives can improve.”
One of the stops made by the president was at the home of a law student, Mapula Mmatli.
She asked the president for assistance with moving her belongings to her student residence, leadership, and for a type of connection.
“I saw that you are on LinkedIn - can you please accept my request and be my friend on LinkedIn?”
Others ignored the president as he walked through the streets of Mamelodi, saying his leadership gave promises and nothing else.