"People trust the ANC to better their lives. No matter how tough the situation, people follow the ANC. Thank you for your support…," he told supporters while on the campaign trail in Boitekong near Rustenburg in North West.

"We know your problems of water, electricity, housing, and jobs. The ANC listens. We do not only listen, but we come with plans to correct [the problems] in a manner that satisfies you."

He had seen plans and the budget on how the Rustenburg local municipality would respond to the pressing problems.

"We have been to different houses, people told us your problems. The municipality has set aside money to provide water. There is money for electricity and to create jobs. The municipality has a plan to address those issues," Ramaphosa said.

In its August 3 local government elections manifesto, the ANC promised, among other things, to expand the electrification programme in unserviced areas. The party also promised to accelerate the upgrading of informal settlements.

On door-to-door visits, Ramaphosa stopped at the home of Elizabeth Mofabatha, 83, who complained that she had not yet received her RDP house. She had been officially informed that her house would be build on July 18 to mark former president Nelson Mandela’s birthday. Bricks had already been delivered, she said.

Rustenburg is one of the highly contested municipalities in North West. Former ANC councillor, Rocky Malebana-Metsing, now the mayoral candidate for the recently established Forum 4 Service Delivery (F4SD), said the forum was confident of wresting the municipality from the ANC.

"There is a fierce contest in Rustenburg. That is why you see the Ramaphosas and Malemas here [Economic Freedom Fighters' leader, Julius Malema]. The DA [Democratic Alliance] still have to come. Maybe the President [Jacob Zuma] has to be here in a bid to stop us. This is because F4SD is a threat to many."

The veteran politician said the F4SD had the backing of communities and was confident of winning in Rustenburg.

"All our candidates, including myself, were elected at the ANC branches [by] the community and were preferred candidates, but the ANC leadership changed the list…"

Following the problems with the candidate selection process, communities had approached them to contest the August 3 elections and to be their voices.

"We will usher in a municipality that is corruption-free and serves the people. We are going to ensure that people have clean drinking water and that refuse is collected," said Malebana-Metsing.

While Ramaphosa was campaigning in the townships, United Democratic Movement leader, Bantu Holomisa, was also on the campaign trail in the area, visiting the Sondela informal settlement, Extension 13 settlement, and Impala Platinum mine hostels.

ANA