ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa took his election campaign to Khayelitsha on Sunday, calling on men to help end gender-based violence and highlighting education and youth training.
Ramaphosa visited the township as part of his two-day campaign trail in Cape Town, stopping first at OR Tambo Hall, where he addressed a packed gathering of congregants from the Salvation Church of the Revival of Faith.
He told the congregation that the upcoming elections were an opportunity for South Africans to reflect on the country’s progress and urged young people to take responsibility for its future.
He said: “They are a moment for us to sit back and look at what has been happening in our country. As we approach these elections, we should recognise that this is an important moment in the life of our nation, and that is why we are saying, and we keep saying to young people: as young people, you must take into your hands the future of our country.”
Men urged to fight gender-based violence
Addressing gender-based violence (GBV), Ramaphosa called on men to take the lead in tackling the abuse of women.
“Stop abusing and raping the women of South Africa. I say this as a message across. The men of our country must be the ones leading the campaign of getting rid of the abuse of our women, the raping and assault targeted at them. Men must be at the forefront,” he said.
He also highlighted the role of religious institutions in addressing social challenges.
“Your church has an important role to play in the life of our country today, to ensure that it puts the message across to our people so that they can understand precisely where our country is going.”
Ramaphosa calls for education
Ramaphosa also urged parents to ensure their children remained in school, including young women who fell pregnant.
“Even if a young woman falls pregnant. After they have given birth, they must go back to school. With an education, our young people stand a better chance of improving their lives. Take interest in the education of your children,” he said.