Hlomuso Hloisi, a Botshabelo native, moved from the Free State to the North West after securing himself a construction job. Once his contract ended, Hloisi remained in Lichtenburg with the hope that he would soon find employment.

Apart from the odd seasonal job, this hasn't been the case. He remains optimistic that things will change and he will soon find long-term employment. Kgakgamatso Makalo echoed Hloisi's sentiments, adding that despite the challenges, the ANC continues to look out for the needs of the people in the province.

In April 2019, economist and academic Dr Roelof Botha urged a hall full of Free State business owners at Leopards and Lace in Bloemfontein to give it 18 months post the general elections for some change. While Botha acknowledged and addressed some of the major concerns like radical land reform, which he called “land expropriation without comprehension”, persistent political uncertainty, and rigid labour legislation, the economist’s overall presentation was an optimistic one, urging entrepreneurs to give it 18 months post the election.

Botha predicted that President Cyril Ramaphosa will become the President of South Africa and he will finally be able to implement the real change in policies that will turn the country's economic woes around and create employment opportunities for young people like Hloisi.

Meanwhile, the rand has strengthened over the course of the elections - an indication the markets support a Ramaphosa-led ANC victory.

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