Land, proper housing, water and sanitation were just some of the issues raised with State President Cyril Ramaphosa during his ‘voter registration’ visit to Itireleng, this past Sunday (March 11).
The President attended a brief church service at the Itireleng Baptist Church, whereafter he conducted a walkabout.
President Ramaphos conceded to poor service delivery by government in some Tshwane areas, saying . "We are, as government, addressing the concerns and the needs of our people." In a highly emotional welcoming speech, Councillor Mahomed Essop pleaded with Ramaphosa to help alleviate the plight of the people of Itireleng. Essop said for too long the people have been living in sub-human conditions.
"We cannot turn a blind eye to these unhealthy and unsafe conditions the people of Itireleng are living in," Essop said.
Makeshift shacks, muddy roads and uncollected waste caught Ramaphosa's attention.
Ramaphosa was accompanied to Itireleng by Gauteng Premier, David Makhura, Former Executive Mayor of Tshwane and chairperson of the ANC Tshwane region, Kgosientso 'Sputla' Ramokgopa and local councillor, Mahomed Essop.
Residents in the area complained bitterly to the President about their living conditions, whereupon Ramaphosa promised them that Gauteng Premier David Makhura would visit the area soon, to look into their plight.
ANC Chairperson for Ward 61, Mohapi Morapeli said that he was glad that the President had taken time out to listen to the woes of Itireleng residents and also added that he looks forward to the Gauteng Premier’s visit to Itireleng which was later confirmed for Tuesday, March 20.
Ramaphosa urged locals to make an effort to keep their communities clean, adding that government would embark on a national campaign to clean places where people live.
In parting, the State President was briefed by IEC officials as to how residents were being registered as voters, despite living in shacks which were not properly numbered and had no street names. The President encouraged the residents of Itireleng to make sure to go out and register to vote.
*During the walkabout, ANC members from the Laudium area invited President Ramaphosa to also visit Laudium, an offer that the President accepted, affirming that he would gladly visit soon.
Part of the walkabout in Itireleng with State President Cyril Ramaphosa, were Laudium sisters Aaliyah (12) and Zahra Akoob (9), who asked the President to provide nursery schooling for the children of Itireleng.
Councillor Mahomed Essop shows President Ramaphosa and Gauteng Premier David Makhura (back), the unhygienic conditions that residents of Itireleng are living under.
ANC Chairperson for Ward 61, Mohapi Morapeli.
President Cyril Ramaphosa chats with a group of kids in Itireleng during his walkabout in the area.
Eager crowd await, President Cyril Ramaphosa's appearance in Itireleng this past Sunday.