WATCH: Tense moment as KwaMashu resident mocks Ramaphosa’s R350 grant amid economic struggles

KwaMashu is full of surprises! Or at least this is how President Cyril Ramaphosa found out at the weekend about the economic struggles of the KwaZulu-Natal township.

In the vibrant township, located in the north of Durban, a tense moment unfolded during a door-to-door campaign by the president.

Ahead of the 2024 Elections, on May 29, President Cyril Ramaphosa, accompanied by his entourage, aimed to connect with residents and rally support for his African National Congress (ANC) to get another ticket to government.

However, the encounter took an unexpected turn when a local woman voiced her discontent with the government’s efforts, particularly the R350 grant amid ongoing economic struggles.

Discontent Over the R350 Grant

The R350 grant, introduced as a temporary relief measure during the Covid-19 pandemic, was designed to provide financial assistance to unemployed South Africans.

Its purpose was to help alleviate the economic struggles many citizens faced due to lockdowns and economic downturns. However, for many, the grant symbolised insufficient and short-term aid in the face of deep-rooted economic struggles.

As President Ramaphosa approached a modest home, a middle-aged woman stepped forward. Her face was a mask of frustration and determination. The resident, whose name was not disclosed, openly mocked the president.

“Ramaphosa, take your R350 and leave,” she declared, her voice steady yet charged with emotion.

“He is lying, we stay at home, we don’t have jobs,” the woman can be heard saying, laughing mockingly at the R350 grant and highlighting the economic struggles they face daily.

WATCH KwaMashu resident laughing off the R350 grant initiative: Post courtesy of X

IFP door to door in KwaMashu. pic.twitter.com/q3VGtVtABM

— MDN NEWS (@MDNnewss) May 21, 2024

Calls for Real Change to tackle Economic Struggles

At another homestead, the president was met with a hostile reality. The crowd, initially buzzing with excitement at the president’s presence, fell silent when another elderly woman told the president off.

“This grant is an insult to our dignity. It’s a band-aid on a wound that needs real healing. We need jobs, proper healthcare, and real opportunities, not these handouts that do nothing but keep us dependent in our economic struggles,” she said.

President Ramaphosa, known for his calm demeanor, tried to engage in a dialogue.

“I understand your frustration,” he began, but the woman cut him off.

“Do you? Do you really understand what it’s like to live here, to struggle every day? You come here for votes, but where are you when we need real change to address our economic struggles?” Her words resonated with many in the crowd, who nodded in agreement.

This confrontation occurred during a campaign led by the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) and its leader, Prince Ndabuko Zulu, who watched the exchange with a mix of concern and quiet satisfaction. The IFP had long criticised the ruling ANC for its perceived failures in addressing the core issues plaguing communities like KwaMashu.

As the president moved on to the next house, the air was thick with unresolved tension. The encounter highlighted the growing dissatisfaction among the electorate and served as a stark reminder that the road to the 2024 elections would be fraught with challenges and demands for genuine change, particularly in the face of ongoing economic struggles.

ALSO CHECK OUT: WATCH: South Africans in London turn out in droves for 2024 General Election voting