Ramaphosa residents hope for a better life
Scars of xenophobic attacks still lingering
During his maiden State of the Nation Address last month, President Cyril Ramaphosa reignited hope among millions of South Africans.
Ramaphosa went as far as quoting the late jazz legend Hugh Masekela’s song Thuma Mina, which has become a theme signifying the winds of change in government and society after the removal of former president Jacob Zuma.
At one rickety shack sprawl on the East Rand, ironically named after the president, however, life is full of despair rather than hope.
Ramaphosa informal settlement is littered with complaints of poor service delivery, crime and grime.
The informal settlement outside Germiston has had little good news in the recent past. It was the site of the 2008 xenophobic attacks where Mozambican national Ernesto Nhamuave became the face of horror when his burning body was captured by press photographers.
The roads leading into the settlement are bumpy, while sewage spills alongside them. The stench from badly serviced communal toilets is overpowering, and the number of youth dotting verandas bares testimony to the problem of unemployment.
“If there is one place that Ramaphosa needs to be sent to, it is here,” said local resident Sibusiso Memela. “We need him to come and see the condition that we live in.”
Memela, 38, has been living in the settlement for 12 years.
Sitting across the road from a local tavern teeming with youngsters, Memela said the community was still haunted by the xenophobic attacks that took place 10 years ago.
“Those were difficult times for us, but I don’t think we will see a repeat of attacks on foreign nationals again.”
Hardie Mahlokoane, 32, has been living at Ramaphosa for 22 years. He said there were very few opportunities for the youth in the area. “I run this dice table because I could not find a job when I matriculated,” Mahlokoane said.
At the settlement, he is known as Knoxman, which means he has the exclusive rights to host the gambling game and choose the playing area. He gambles with the rest of the punters and earns a 10% commission from the winner of each round.
“There is nothing here for us to do. We don’t have recreational facilities, we don’t have a library ... the government or Ramaphosa needs to come here and help uplift our community,” he said.
While the settlement is not an exception, some residents’ hopes have been raised since Ramaphosa took charge.
They too hope the new dawn will rub off on them.
They believe President Ramaphosa can be the bearer of good news in their lives.
“With a growing sense of hopelessness, the only thing that is left to be revived for us is if Ramaphosa becomes a messenger of good news,” said a local resident.