Ramaphosa on the campaign trail: President promises water crisis solutions during KZN election blitz

President Cyril Ramaphosa on the campaign trail in KwaZulu-Natal, where he promised to resolve water supply problems in eMaGabheni on the south coast, after residents raised concerns about water shortages and unemployment during his door-to-door campaign.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has promised that water problems in eMaGabheni on the KwaZulu-Natal south coast will soon be resolved, while acknowledging unemployment as a major concern raised by residents during the ANC’s door-to-door campaign in the province.

Speaking during the campaign on Wednesday, Ramaphosa said he had visited residents in their homes and met them in the streets to hear their concerns, including water shortages and the lack of jobs.

Residents had raised concerns about unemployment and water supply, and the government was working to address the water challenges through infrastructure improvements.

“We are sorting out the bulk water issues and installing pipes. And we’ve been informing them that soon the water problem will be over,” Ramaphosa said.

Water was being delivered by trucks as a temporary measure while the necessary infrastructure was installed to improve supply and ensure proper reticulation.

Ramaphosa said the temporary intervention would continue while the bulk water challenges were addressed and permanent infrastructure put in place.

Ramaphosa said some residents had settled in eMaGabheni after experiencing conflict during the apartheid years, including violence involving different political organisations.

He said residents had since seen progress in the area and expressed satisfaction with the ANC’s work.

“It’s really been a pleasure to be here in KZN and at eMaGabheni, spending time with our leaders here but more particularly with our people - getting into their homes, meeting them in the streets and getting to hear their stories,” he said, adding that residents were seeing development in their community.

“They’ve settled here and they’re seeing progress. They’re seeing delivery and they are very pleased with the work that is being done by the ANC. They see how the ANC has been developing even this area,” he said.

Ramaphosa expressed confidence that the ANC would perform well in the upcoming local government elections and regain a majority in the eThekwini council.

The party faces competition from the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party in KwaZulu-Natal as it seeks to strengthen its support in the province.

Ramaphosa defended the ANC’s record in the metro, saying the party was working to restore Durban’s position as a major tourism destination.

“The ANC has done enormous positive work here and many of our people are seeing that we are revamping eThekwini, Durban and making sure that it becomes the tourism mega mecca of our country once again,” he said.

Ramaphosa said initiatives involving the Durban port, rail system, logistics and municipal governance were part of efforts to reposition the city, and the ANC was working to improve the metro and restore its standing as a major tourism hub.

He added the party’s election campaign had intensified as it sought victory in KwaZulu-Natal.

“Our campaign is now in full turbocharge. We’re going full steam to a victory here in KZN. So we are pleased particularly for being here,” he said.