Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his “hurt” after visiting a couple living in squalor as he went on a door-to-door campaign in Sada outside Whittlesea yesterday.
Ramaphosa was on an ANC campaign trail in the ANC’s Chris Hani region. The party faces tough opposition from the United Front of the Eastern Cape (UF) and Julius Malema's Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the area.
UF was formed by former Cosatu general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, who hails from the same township.
Ramaphosa was moved when he arrived at the home of Nozibonelo Ngamntwini, who lives in a cluster of single bedroom structures – known as The Hostel – which are occupied by descendants of farmworkers, who were evicted from farms in the 60s.
Ngamntwini shares the room with her husband, two children and four grandchildren. The only other room is an even smaller kitchen, in which no more than two people can cook at the same time.
When Ramaphosa stepped into Ngamntwini's home, piles of mattresses were stacked along the walls of the tiny room they call a bedroom. He showed Ramaphosa how they have to rearrange the room at night so that the couple can have “privacy”.
Ngamntwini’s four grandchildren on the other hand, sleep like sardines in the passage. This is the story of life for generations of the 40 families housed at “The Hostel”.
Ramaphosa said “it hurt me to witness this. I felt bad when I heard these stories of a mother and father who sleep in a bed and in the same room as their children.”
He was addressing more than 500 ANC supporters who came to see him. “I heard from local people that indeed there is a housing shortage crisis here and we are going to address that,” he added.
Ramaphosa said he spent two hours interacting with Chris Hani district councillors and officials and that they had assured him that 1500 houses would be built.
“I saw the plan. You will get the 1500 houses,” he said.
Also present at the rally, were ANC provincial deputy chairman Sakhumzi Somyo, ANC Women's League national executive committee member, Weziwe Tikana, as well as Chris Hani district ANC mayoral candidate Kholiswa Vimbayo.
Ramaphosa said the ANC was also concerned about the poor state of roads in Sada. “We are not happy at all and we will fix that too.”
He also warned ANC supporters about what he called “Popeye and Mickey Mouse” parties.
Ramaphosa also issued a stern warning to the councillor candidates, saying they must always be humble and keep their constituencies informed about developments in the ward.
“We don’t want these councillors to hire their relatives when they get into office, they must not steal the money of state,” he said.
Ramaphosa then moved to Ezibeleni outside Komani. He was scheduled to organise a fundraising dinner at the Queens Hotel and Casino last night. —,zineg@dispatch.co.za
Sada squalor stirs Ramaphosa
Deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa expressed his “hurt” after visiting a couple living in squalor as he went on a door-to-door campaign in Sada outside Whittlesea yesterday.
Ramaphosa was on an ANC campaign trail in the ANC’s Chris Hani region. The party faces tough opposition from the United Front of the Eastern Cape (UF) and Julius Malema's Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the area.
UF was formed by former Cosatu general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, who hails from the same township.
Ramaphosa was moved when he arrived at the home of Nozibonelo Ngamntwini, who lives in a cluster of single bedroom structures – known as The Hostel – which are occupied by descendants of farmworkers, who were evicted from farms in the 60s.
Ngamntwini shares the room with her husband, two children and four grandchildren. The only other room is an even smaller kitchen, in which no more than two people can cook at the same time.
When Ramaphosa stepped into Ngamntwini's home, piles of mattresses were stacked along the walls of the tiny room they call a bedroom. He showed Ramaphosa how they have to rearrange the room at night so that the couple can have “privacy”.
Ngamntwini’s four grandchildren on the other hand, sleep like sardines in the passage. This is the story of life for generations of the 40 families housed at “The Hostel”.
Ramaphosa said “it hurt me to witness this. I felt bad when I heard these stories of a mother and father who sleep in a bed and in the same room as their children.”
He was addressing more than 500 ANC supporters who came to see him. “I heard from local people that indeed there is a housing shortage crisis here and we are going to address that,” he added.
Ramaphosa said he spent two hours interacting with Chris Hani district councillors and officials and that they had assured him that 1500 houses would be built.
“I saw the plan. You will get the 1500 houses,” he said.
Also present at the rally, were ANC provincial deputy chairman Sakhumzi Somyo, ANC Women's League national executive committee member, Weziwe Tikana, as well as Chris Hani district ANC mayoral candidate Kholiswa Vimbayo.
Ramaphosa said the ANC was also concerned about the poor state of roads in Sada. “We are not happy at all and we will fix that too.”
He also warned ANC supporters about what he called “Popeye and Mickey Mouse” parties.
Ramaphosa also issued a stern warning to the councillor candidates, saying they must always be humble and keep their constituencies informed about developments in the ward.
“We don’t want these councillors to hire their relatives when they get into office, they must not steal the money of state,” he said.
Ramaphosa then moved to Ezibeleni outside Komani. He was scheduled to organise a fundraising dinner at the Queens Hotel and Casino last night. —,zineg@dispatch.co.za
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