ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa visited the Riverside View section of Diepsloot for a grassroots campaign engagement, meeting directly with residents to discuss community challenges ahead of the national elections.
Upon arrival, Ramaphosa was greeted by a crowd of community members who had gathered to interact with the ANC leader. Before the President’s door-to-door outreach began, a local resident shared key priorities with those covering the event. The spokesperson for the community emphasized three urgent infrastructure needs: the establishment of a neighborhood school to improve children’s access to education, the construction of a local clinic to spare elderly and ill residents from relying on taxis to reach distant health facilities, and the development of recreational spaces, such as sports grounds, for youth engagement.
The resident also affirmed their commitment to participate in the upcoming elections, highlighting voter registration and civic duty as important considerations for the community.
While Diepsloot has historically grappled with high crime rates—prompting past community appeals for increased police visibility, additional patrol vehicles, and even SANDF deployment—those spoken to during this visit focused predominantly on service delivery. Crime was not raised as a primary talking point by residents interviewed at the event; instead, the conversation centered on foundational amenities that impact daily life.
Ramaphosa’s motorcade arrived as residents carried on with routine activities, with many young people observed moving through the area. Following brief consultations with local ANC structures, the President commenced his door-to-door campaign, engaging households directly to listen to their concerns and encourage electoral support. The visit was scheduled to conclude with a formal address to assembled community members.
Additional feedback from the area included ongoing frustrations over delays in receiving RDP housing, further illustrating the breadth of service delivery expectations. The campaign stop forms part of the ANC’s broader outreach strategy as the party mobilizes support in the lead-up to voter registration deadlines and election day.