BLOEMFONTEIN, Free State — African National Congress (ANC) President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent Mangaung visit to Bloemfontein has highlighted both significant progress in municipal service delivery and ongoing challenges regarding housing and infrastructure in the Free State metro.
Returning to the metro for a follow-up campaign trail just two weeks after his initial promise to residents, Ramaphosa expressed satisfaction with the cleanliness and service delivery improvements across the city. He specifically noted the provincial administration’s commitment to resolving sewage spills and waste management issues, framing the collaborative effort as a reflection of the ruling party’s compassion for its people.
Addressing internal party dynamics during his address, Ramaphosa emphasized that recent challenges, including election registration and candidate disputes, have been successfully resolved. He praised the party’s ability to find solutions, unite, and move forward collectively, noting that the support he received from his colleagues following his directive to clean up the metro has further demonstrated this unity.
Despite the president’s optimism regarding municipal progress, local residents voiced significant grievances during his tour. While expressing continued support for the ANC, community members highlighted feelings of neglect, pointing to persistent local issues such as vandalism, theft, and high unemployment.
One resident recounted discussions with their local councillor regarding an abandoned recreational space intended for the elderly to exercise. The resident noted that if the facility had been properly established, the president would have found the seniors waiting there for him, rather than the space sitting empty. Additionally, a 96-year-old resident who is still living in informal housing pleaded for a formal house to be provided before they pass away.
Addressing the severe housing backlog, a spokesperson for the Mangaung Metro Municipality explained that current challenges are deeply rooted in decisions and conditions inherited from the previous administration. The municipality noted that the state is currently behind on its housing delivery targets.
Instead of allocating the current budget to build new homes for beneficiaries, the spokesperson explained that funds must be leveraged to complete half-finished houses and foundations left over from previous terms. The spokesperson called for a serious intervention to rectify these historical imbalances, describing the current focus on completing and rectifying existing structures rather than starting new projects as a critical crisis requiring immediate attention.
Ramaphosa concluded his engagements by pledging to return to the metro following the upcoming local government elections to continue monitoring progress and engaging with the community.
