Key Takeaways
- ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa questioned whether homeowners in Rustenburg were briefed before his visit to ensure they would praise the ANC and its ward councillor.
- Ramaphosa’s concern arose after visiting several homes where residents consistently praised the ANC and its councillor, Thabang Rampou.
- The president was confronted with the dire state of affairs in North West, including potholes, uneven roads, housing, and water crises.
- Despite the challenges, Ramaphosa praised Rampou for his exemplary leadership and commitment to addressing community issues.
- The ANC will be looking for similar leadership qualities when selecting councillor candidates for the upcoming local government elections.
Introduction to the Door-to-Door Visit
ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday questioned his team on whether the homeowners he visited during his door-to-door in Rustenburg were not told what to say to him before his arrival. Although he said it in jest, Ramaphosa, confronted with the state of affairs in Boitekong, was bewildered that at every house he visited, residents sang the praises of the ANC and its ward councillor. This concern arose after visiting several homes, where residents consistently praised the ANC and its councillor, Thabang Rampou, prompting Ramaphosa to ask if the people were not briefed in advance.
The State of Affairs in Boitekong
As Ramaphosa entered the third home in Ward 21, where the structure was a shack, he stopped the ward’s councillor, Thabang Rampou, at the gate and asked if the people were not briefed in advance. Rampou responded by telling Ramaphosa this was not the case. Laughing, Ramaphosa then says: "okay, ne kere go etsagala something (I thought something is up here)". Ramaphosa’s concern, although in jest, was as a result of being confronted with the reality of the dire state of affairs in North West since his arrival for the party’s January 8 celebrations this weekend. From potholes the size of soccer balls, uneven and bumpy roads to housing and water crises, residents in Boitekong painted a grim picture for Ramaphosa, who would have clearly witnessed the state of affairs.
The President’s Visit and Interaction with Residents
So bad is the situation in Boitekong that Ramaphosa, probably for safety reasons, was flown in and out of the area in a military chopper that waited for him a few kilometres away on a makeshift landing strip. After his door-to-door visits, the president sang praises of Rampou, one of the ANC’s young councillors whom Ward 21 residents said was doing a good job. Ramaphosa was told that Rampou had been an exemplary councillor who took an interest in issues affecting his community. The president’s interaction with residents and his observations of the area’s challenges highlighted the need for effective leadership and community engagement.
Praising Exemplary Leadership
Ramaphosa praised Rampou’s leadership, stating that this was the kind of leadership the ANC will look for when selecting councillor candidates ahead of the local government elections due later this year. The president’s comments were made during a cake-cutting ceremony, where he said: "We went into a few houses here in Ward 21, we were with branch leaders here, we met with a young man of 34 called Thabang, this guy as we walked with him, we heard that he is working". Ramaphosa added that as they visited different houses, it was the residents who confirmed the work being done by Rampou and the branch under his leadership. This endorsement of Rampou’s leadership underscores the importance of community-focused leadership in addressing local challenges.
Looking Ahead to Local Government Elections
The ANC will hold its official 114th year celebrations at the Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg on Saturday. As the party prepares for the local government elections, Ramaphosa’s comments on Rampou’s leadership highlight the qualities the ANC will be looking for in its councillor candidates. The party’s ability to address the dire state of affairs in areas like Boitekong will be crucial in regaining the trust of communities and ensuring effective governance. The upcoming elections will provide an opportunity for the ANC to demonstrate its commitment to community-focused leadership and addressing the challenges faced by residents in areas like North West.