BY REGINALD KANYANE

ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa expressed confidence that the ruling party will retain all wards in Taung.

Ramaphosa visited Taung on Friday to meet with voters during a door-to-door campaign as the race for the August 3 local government elections hots up.

“The people of Taung are very committed to the ANC. They can see what the party is doing through the provincial and local government. The provincial government under premier Supra Mahumapelo is doing fantastic work.

“There are few challenges, but for all those challenges there are clear strategic plans to improve. Even the ordinary people on the ground understand, so we are unshaken. We will continue to work hard as the ruling party to improve the lives of our people,” Ramaphosa said.

Together with other ANC leaders, Ramaphosa visited Magogong village where he lambasted those who left the ANC and registered to as independent candidates.

“We want to warn those who left the party and contest the elections as independent candidates. Our people will not be deceived by you. They know that ANC is the only party that could help them to get out of abject poverty. ANC works for the betterment of its people’s lives.

“We understand what our people want and we walked that path too. So you are not to be trusted because you do not answer or report to anyone. You left the ANC because you were not elected as councillor candidates. That alone shows that you are power hungry,” he said.

ANC provincial chairperson, Supra Mahumapelo said: “We do not have time to respond to small parties who go around accusing us. Our main objective is to improve the lives of the people. So those who alleged that ANC is corrupt must go and report it to the law enforcement authorities because talk is cheap.”

Some residents urged Ramaphosa to improve water and sanitation process in their areas.

One of the residents said: “We welcome the visit of the deputy president. This shows that want we raised will be taken into consideration. We are living in abject poverty because of unemployment and inequality. Crime continues to show its ugly head too.”

Another resident also shared the same sentiments. She urged Ramaphosa to bring more changes to the town of Taung.

“Taung is predominantly rural, so we urge Ramaphosa to continue to bring changes and improvements. We have a Mall and a newly built taxi rank. This gives us hope and we also want to applaud North West premier, Supra Mahumapelo with his vision in turning Taung into a city,” the resident said.

-TDN

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