Ramaphosa experiences daily plight of train commuters, promises action
"It’s no longer a fable; it’s the lived reality of our people - and we are going to take steps to change the situation, because our people deserve the best."
That is what President Cyril Ramaphosa promised on Monday during his journey on a train from Mabopane to Pretoria.
"I’m rather glad that I came. I’ve seen for myself," Ramaphosa told eNCA.
The president, along with Gauteng premier David Makhura and ANC elections head Fikile Mbalula, boarded the train around 7.30am from Mabopane - but it was delayed by two hours.
En route the train got stuck again. Some commuters disembarked in frustration.
The delays meant Ramaphosa was late for his meeting with the ruling party’s top six.
The president eventually arrived at Pretoria station around 10.45am.
"Levels of frustration are quite high, but the people are surprisingly patient - patient because they are hoping that the ANC will see what’s happening and bring about changes," said Ramaphosa.
And president @CyrilRamaphosa arrives at the PTA station, 3 hours later after being stuck in a train from Mabopane this morning. #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/2jjGBVUl2B
— Abongile Dumako (@AbongileDumako) March 18, 2019
The year is 2025 and President Cyril Ramaphosa is still stuck in the train from Mabopane pic.twitter.com/ObRCkJ6Dlk
— DumiGwebuEdits (@dumigwebu) March 18, 2019
If you want a metaphor for the country right now - the President @CyrilRamaphosa is stuck on a train somewhere around Mabopane. The train was late and now it's stuck. And the President is stuck. https://t.co/UkPzd3iEex
— Mandy Wiener (@MandyWiener) March 18, 2019
ANC President Comrade @CyrilRamaphosa interacts one on one with commuters at Mabopane train station to Pretoria #GrowSouthAfrica #ThumaMina pic.twitter.com/6cBct2bOnw
— #GrowSouthAfrica (@MYANC) March 18, 2019