Durban - "It is our country, if we are dissatisfied with anything, we can take it up.”
Those were the sentiments of Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa, during his engagement with the Indian community this weekend in Durban.
Ramaphosa was hosted by the SA Muslim Network, and tackled issues on crime, poverty, education, and international alliances.
Faisal Suliman , chairman of the Network, said their organisation had contacted the presidential candidate as they wanted clarity from the ANC leadership on issues plaguing the community.
“South Africans are saying enough, there is a national malaise and rot in the national psyche, and our country in yearning for leadership."
Suliman added that the country needed a leadership that would inspire.
“This country has the people, the talent and resources to overcome all the challenges, but what we need now, is a leadership that can take this country forward, a leadership that proves that not all politicians are corrupt and self serving.”
Addressing the need for affordable or free education, Ramaphosa said the ANC wanted it to be a reality.
“The demand that has come from students, is that they want free education for everybody.
"Now I often argue that I have two daughters at university, should they get free education, when I can afford it ?
" I don’t think it is correct for their education to be paid for by state, however, the country has a number of poor young people that are attending university who are finding it difficult to survive on their own as their parents do not have the money.
"Let us focus on the poor children, from poor families. Those are the ones we want to give free education to."
Speaking on the crime in the country, Ramaphosa said there is a great deal of contribution that can be made by communities.
“We appreciate the stance the communities have taken to eradicate crime. There is a call for citizens to be active, engaged, and involved in things that affect their own lives.
"Crime is something, if the community takes it on board actively, can be withered down.”
Ramaphosa said the effect of poverty ran so deep, recent statistics revealed that 50 percent of those employed, remain below the poverty line.
He applauded Cosatu in their stance to introduce the national minimum wage.
“As the ANC it is our duty to continue being a caring government and we will continue working to ensure a better country for our people.”
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