Jobe Sithole
It’s after 11am on a sunny Saturday morning in Johannesburg. Mhlaba Drive in Chiawelo, Soweto is a hive of activity. The street is home to two well-known properties which are about four hundred metres apart.
One is a modest orange family home belonging to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s family and the other is Hitekani Primary School. Deeply connected to the area, President Ramaphosa cast his vote on the May 8 general election at the school.
The 25th of May 2019 will forever be etched in the minds and hearts of this community. On this day one of their own was inaugurated as president of South Africa. I was in the area to get a sense of what this occasion means for the people of this township, which was now going to be on the world stage.
People were going on about their business.
Trevor Mtileni, a resident of Extension 1 told Inside Politics that the president must focus his strength on fighting corruption.
“We are making a clarion call to President Ramaphosa that we’ve had enough with corruption. I would also want to see the president making sure that education is free and accessible to everyone. People generally trust Ramaphosa. That’s why he was voted for”, said Mtileni.
Inside Politics had an opportunity to watch the inauguration with Lizzy Baloyi, 63 in Extension 2. Baloyi’s home is not far from the president’s family house. Baloyi has been in Chiawelo since 1962. She fondly reminisces about the good old days while not containing her joy on the son of Chiawelo ascending to the highest office in the land.
“We are happy here in Chiawelo as never in our wildest dreams did we think we’d have a head of state coming from this area. My late brother used to attend school with Ramaphosa. The president respectful when growing up”, Baloyi tells me.
The soft spoken yet feisty woman welcomes me into her sitting room. Her grandchildren are keeping her busy. Rebuking them seems to be a full time occupation. As I settle down to start chatting to Baloyi I cannot help but be struck by the conspicuous despair written all over her face. White hair revealing her age is stubbornly protruding from her beret. This mother of four has been a resident of the township since 1962.With her sharp
eyes fixed on the TV Baloyi, says the president must hit the ground running.
“The pressing issue is youth unemployment. Our children need jobs. They are at home with us. This is a crisis in the country. Since the dawn of democracy life has become extremely hard. The cost of living has escalated to unbearable levels. There is no hope. People are hungry”, said a visibly shaken Baloyi.
In her youth Baloyi was a factory worker in the east of Johannesburg. She is wary of the digital revolution and the disruption it has brought to the world of work.
“The fourth industrial revolution is from where I am sitting destroying the future of our children. Where is the youth going to find work as robots and machines are taking over? In fact, retrenchments are the order of the day in the country. I would appeal to President Ramaphosa to attend to this harsh reality”, says Baloyi.
As the old lady pours me a cup of tea I ask if she is confident that President Ramaphosa will be a man of his words.
“It’s early days but I would say let’s afford him a chance and see if he will stick to his promises. Politicians have a way of talking left then walk right. When they want votes as we’ve seen recently they charm you,” concluded Baloyi.
As I leave the Baloyi household and proceed further down the street I come across Boas Shivambo, in his mid 70s. Shivambo , beer in hand is in a jolly mood. His face lights up when the name Cyril Ramaphosa is mentioned.
“ I know him personally. We were together in Pietersburg. Ramaphosa is a good man. What he fought for back then when he was in the unions is what he should exercise now. He must forget about politicians in the opposition such as Terror Lekota “, said Shivambo as he walked away his hand firmly gripped on his beer.
As you walk down the street you notice a bottle store. Patrons are seated outside. Most if not all are in black. There was a funeral on the other side of the street. Not far from the bottle store a vegetable stall that can’t be missed is busy with customers. It is owned by Bennet Mashele, 22. Originally from Mozambique Mashele has lived his entire adult life in Chiawelo.
“I’ve been in this area for over ten years and now consider it my home. For now President Ramaphosa just got in. As small businesses we need support from government. Those of us who are selling vegetable and fruits need proper stalls. We don’t mind renting. All we are asking for is proper structures where we can trade”, pleaded Mashele.
If President Ramaphosa is to succeed in his Thuma Mina project these are the voices he should heed. They are often ignored if not completely shunned when leaders get caught up in the hurly burly of governing the country.
