Armed with wellington boots, President Thabo Mbeki on Monday experienced life in a rain-soaked informal settlement: mud, water and a leaky roof.
Mbeki was campaigning in Rustenburg, ward 13 — normally known as Ramochana, not far from the local prison.
Engaging residents in the vernacular, Mbeki asked after their concerns.
His first stop was at the Nkahle hair salon, then across Rivulet Road and through some porridge-thick red mud to Dianah Tagobe’s home.
Tagobe (35) explained her son Given (15) was staying at home because of the rain. Her daughter, four-year-old Keaobaka, had nowhere to play.
She is hopeful of one day living in a real house: she has already lived in her shack for four years. Mbeki promised that permanent houses will come.
At the nearby Kamjin tuck shop, Solli Serupamela (59) watched the president engage other residents.
Asked if he will vote on Wednesday, he said he will vote for the African National Congress. ”I’ve seen a lot of change here for the better,” he said.
Serupamela was part of a crowd of about 100 residents that followed Mbeki, mostly under large umbrellas, in the incessant rain. Mbeki was dressed in gumboots, an ANC mackintosh and an ANC baseball cap.
The president moved comfortably among the crowd, often bareheaded, although surrounded by party minders, and a police contingent at least equal in size to the crowd — and including the provincial police commissioner.
As he went about with party spokesperson Smuts Ngonyama and ward councillor Nellia Mmapula Khunou, many women in the crow cheered and ululated.
Ruth Mathebula (25) expressed the thoughts of many, saying: ”I’m happy to meet President Thabo Mbeki today.”
Mbeki was scheduled to make a number of elections stops in various part of Rustenburg, but by lunchtime had given up on his planned schedule on account of the rain. — Sapa