Ramaphosa woos voters

ANC is not afraid to confront community’s challenges, president tells residents

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa took his campaign to Pietermaritzburg yesterday, telling residents that since the elective conference of 2017, the party had upped its efforts to address the needs of South Africans.

He said the ANC had entered a new period “after a very difficult past few years”.

“I can assure you that since December 2017, the ANC is changing, and all the time it is getting better and better, to be more responsive to the needs of our people,” said Ramaphosa.

He was speaking to residents of Manor Flats, the majority of whom are from the Indian and Coloured community.

The community told Ramaphosa that they were affected by unemployment, drug abuse and crime. Residents who are mostly pensioners also want to own the flats which they rent from the Msunduzi Municipality.

“We know that this community is facing many difficulties and challenges, but the ANC is prepared to confront those challenges because we are not afraid.

“We are people of great courage and we are saying in the next elections, give us strength to run this country once again,” he said. He said the ANC was reclaiming its glory to be “the ANC that you always love, the ANC of Nelson Mandela, the ANC that you know will provide you with the best service delivery”.

“That is the ANC that we want to rid the country of corruption and make sure that everything that we do in our country is done in accordance with the rule of law.

“That is exactly the ANC that you are supporting now,” he said.

Ramaphosa started the day at Siqongweni High School in Imbali, whose 84% matric pass rate placed it among the best in the country.

He pledged that the school, which accommodates children from poor families, would receive a computer centre, a science laboratory and a library.

He told the pupils that they should continue attending extra lessons at weekends “because pupils from top performing countries in education always attend extra classes”.

The school had been identified for the president’s visit because, despite lacking learning and teaching resources, it had a pass rate of more than 80% since 2014.

“Basic Education Minister (Angie Motshekga) says she wants nothing less than 100%. I agree with the minister.

“100% is achievable because others get it. What would stop you from getting it when you are as clever as them?” he said.

Ramaphosa also challenged the pupils to join his yet to be formed Presidential Reading Club.

“You must be able to read beyond the books that you are given in school. You must be able to pick up a book every week. “In order for you to be part of the club you must read. To qualify you must read at least 12 books a year, and one book every month,” he said.

I can assure you that since December 2017, the ANC is changing, and all the time it is getting better

and better