This as the President is expected to address hundreds of residents from different parts of the Northern Cape at the Galeshewe Stadium in Kimberley shortly. 

According to the ANC in the province, Ramaphosa was meant to have already delivered his speech at around 10:00, but it appears that the programme is running slightly behind schedule.  The President has, however, arrived at the stadium. His visit forms part of the ANC’s people manifesto launch ahead of the general elections in May. The OFM News team spoke to residents from different parts of the area, including Postmasburg and Pampierstad, who expressed sheer excitement at having the opportunity to see Ramaphosa. The residents remain adamant that they want to see real change in their communities. Miriam Maluleke from Pampierstad says that youth unemployment remains a huge burden on her community. She believes this is what leads to drug usage and crime.

Maluleke added that residents want to, at the very least, have access to clean water, something which continues to be a problem in the area. Amanda Scott from Postmasburg says they are tired of promises. The people of the Northern Cape demand immediate change.

Galeshewe, where the President will be addressing residents, experienced many incidents of unrest that erupted in the provincial capital in July 2018 over service delivery issues which the community blamed on the then Sol Plaatje mayor, Mangaliso Matika. Those protests turned violent, resulting in public and private property being vandalised and over 200 people including minors, getting arrested for varying offences. These offences included public violence and malicious damage to property. The Northern Cape Chamber of Commerce estimated at the time that the loss incurred by local businesses during the unrest ran into the millions.

Ramaphosa kicked off his busy day at the Vodacom Meerkat marathon at around 05:30 am. He addressed runners who appeared elated and surprised to have him there.

OFM News/Sazly Hartzenberg and Olebogeng Motse