BLOEMFONTEIN – Political parties are trying one more time to get voters in their corner for the 4 November election.

After the serious mistake of not reaching the Election Commission’s timeline for the PR list in Mangaung at first, the ANC is using all its powers to make the Constitutional Court verdict work in their favour.

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It pulled in the strength of another visit by president Cyril Ramaphosa on Saturday 24 October to visit some areas in the Mangaung Metro.

Ramaphosa’s first stop Batho – an ANC stronghold – visiting residents in Hamilton Road before talking to a crowd of ANC-supporters on Mapikela Square.

In Hamilton Road, residents were waiting outside their houses for the procession of ANC heavyweights to walk past. Asked who they are going to vote for, residents differed. Some were sternly ANC supporters and say they will vote ANC “because they are going to change things”. Others were uncertain who they will vote for.

Talking to the crowd sporting their new ANC t-shirts, Ramaphose said that the high rate of youth unemployment is among the grave concerns raised by residents of Mangaung.

“Several are lamenting the fact that their children graduate with diplomas and degrees from various academic institutions and, sadly, become despondent because they do not find work. Getting employment has become extremely difficult for many of them.”

He says those over 35 years old are also lamenting not being considered for the job opportunities that are available.

“The government is doing something to ensure that those above 35 years old do get employed; they are still capable of working. We are working on improving South Africa’s economy to create employment. We are currently assessing the situation in the Free State and looking at means to attract potential foreign investors and local investors too, to invest in creating work opportunities in the province and in here in Mangaung,” said Ramaphosa.

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