Some who encounter ANC on campaign trail hope a chance engagement will equal a lucky break

"Don’t forget me."

These are the words Neo Mmaraka uttered when he handed over a full bag of fruits and vegetables to African National Congress (ANC) President Cyril Ramaphosa during his election campaign trail in the Free State two weeks ago.

Mmaraka is not alone, he is one of many who encounter the country’s first citizen and immediately share their life story, frustrations and wishes, all in the hope that this chance engagement could deliver some reprieve or boost their efforts and bring some relief or more economic prosperity. 

The ANC has taken to its tried and tested door-to-door campaign to increase voter contact, in its bid to retain power at the national level and across most of the country’s provinces. 

This has delivered several viral-worthy moments – as Ramaphosa, former ANC presidents and their deputies - sans former president Jacob Zuma, take to the streets and ask for a renewed mandate.

But the question for many watching the many clips, which land in news bulletins and on social media is what happens next? Are any of those who ask for help attended to in any way? 

Eyewitness News checked in on Mmaraka, one of many street vendors in Botshabelo, the biggest township in the Free State, who is forced to make do with the little resources at his disposal.

Mmaraka has been plying his trade on the side of the roads in the Free State township for well over a decade.

His moment with Ramaphosa also went viral. When the ANC’s top brass took to the streets of the famous township, they not only engaged residents but spent money on goods on offer from local merchants and vendors, as it attempted to woo voters to increase its electoral chances ahead of the 29 May polls. 

During his interaction with Ramaphosa, he painstakingly shed light on his business operations, challenges and potential.

The vendor says he spends more than R5,000 to restock his products and that attempts to get support from the government to grow his business have yielded no results.

“I’ve applied for funding, but I’ve waited for a response for many years. I am registered with SEDA (Small Enterprise Development Agency). A R50,000 cash injection would help me franchise my business and create employment for the young people in my community,” he said. 

Ramaphosa is then seen and heard assuring him that he would urge community members to support the township economy.

The viral video is cut off with the president seemingly providing a middle-of-the-road response. The interaction brought some outrage on social media, with many criticising Ramaphosa and his party for not engaging or proposing sufficient solutions to the many issues they encountered while on the campaign trail. 

“It seems the president alerted his team about my situation because the head of SEDA came to visit me a few days later. The woman came to my place and told me the president sent her to me. She took a picture with me and said she had to send a report to the president,” the street vendor said.

“After all of this, she simply told me that she will get back to me on how SEDA can help me with funding,” he added. 

Mmaraka said while he understands the ANC was merely campaigning for votes, he was left hopeful that maybe one day his struggles will become a thing of the past.

“I am glad the president honoured his commitment. I have been applying for funding, but I wouldn’t get a response. It’s now promising because officials from SEDA visited my house,” he joyfully told Eyewitness News. 

Slindokuhle Khoza had a similar experience, which took a different turn, however, her wishes were ultimately realised, albeit outside of the president and her direct request to him. 

Khoza was seen sharing her frustrations on her never-ending quest to find employment, to which the president responded: “Keep searching.”

This saw the social media space reacting negatively towards the governing party and its president. 

Khoza landed a job after some businesses and ANC volunteers assisted her following the incident. 

But for others, who encounter the likes of former Deputy President David Mabuza, get his ear for a few minutes and at the most, an ANC doek or t-shirt. 

When Mabuza led his first election campaign in Olievenhoutbosch in Pretoria at the weekend, he engaged several street vendors.

One of them was Hendrick Mokonyane, a fierce ANC supporter whose family became RDP housing beneficiaries several years ago.

He said despite battling to make ends meet, life had become better for his family since the early 2000s.

“The ANC is the best party. I am happy with what they’ve done for us. We will continue to support the party,” he said.

With the seventh democratic elections fast approaching, political organisations are making promises to ordinary South Africans.

While the ANC is often criticised for dishing out commitments it can’t fulfil, it seems some people have a different experience on the ground or are happy to contend with just being heard by some of their leaders. 

The greatest test for the governing party will be at the polls, when South Africans vote on 29 May.