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Rise Mzansi's Gauteng premier candidate Vuyiswa Ramokgopa emphasised the party's commitment to efficient and affordable public transport during a train ride from Naledi Train Station in Soweto to Park Station in Johannesburg on Thursday morning.
Speaking to City Press, Ramokgopa outlined the train ride as part of Rise Mzansi's TSOGA Gauteng campaign, which she said was the party's way of connecting and engaging with the public directly.
Gauteng premier candidate Vuyiswa Ramokgopa for Rise Mzansi shared the outcome of the train ride from Naledi, Soweto to Park Station, JHB.
— Ingonyamakazi???? (@zamo_ndawonde) May 2, 2024
"We had a chance to talk to commuters and they shared their experiences using the new trains," said Ramokgopa. @City_Press @RISEGauteng pic.twitter.com/h7F2ffNj6R
With the 2024 elections less than a month away, Ramokgopa highlighted the importance of experiencing the daily commute of an average South African, noting the early morning start and the conversations with commuters about their concerns, including the slower pace of new trains and broader community issues.
Ramokgopa said:
READ: DA is threatened by Rise Mzansi’s growing appeal among young voters, says Rise Mzansi's Zibi
She stressed the need for "political leaders to rebuild trust with the electorate, disillusioned by unfulfilled promises".
“They also spoke about politicians being untrustworthy; people do not believe that politicians are going to deliver, and I think it is our responsibility as the new leaders that are coming into the space to restore that trust that people have lost in politics,” said Ramokgopa.
According to Ramokgopa, should Rise Mzansi secure a victory, the party plans to overhaul the transport sector, including introducing a unified transport card and expanding the Gautrain network. Additionally, the party aims to address youth unemployment by improving WiFi access in community spaces.
Ramokgopa added that one of their ways to tackle youth unemployment is by helping job seekers with access to WiFi in different parts of communities like schools and community centres.
Meanwhile, artist Sphiwe Gumede, who was one of the many commuters on the train ride, voiced the need for greater support for artists and measures to combat substance abuse, urging Rise Mzansi to prioritise these issues if elected.
He said that artists in the country are not valued and as a result, some have resorted to drugs.
Gumede said:
He added that the lack of government support for artists is so serious that he as an artist had to get a '9 to 5' job because there are no funds and support to sustain his business as a music producer.
