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On Thursday,18 January 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to visit Kimberley to launch a R1 billion housing project in Roodepan. We see this politicking for what it is- a ploy to seem as though they care about a community they have long forgotten.

Let it be clear, ActionSA wholeheartedly supports such an initiative as it has been a long time coming. We, however, are concerned about how such a project will be achieved and that the residents’ hopes and dreams for housing aren’t dashed by nefarious political agendas.

As such, I will be writing to the Northern Cape Premier, Dr Zamani Saul, requesting that he make public the list of beneficiaries who are to benefit from such an expensive project at the taxpayer’s dime.

Given the timing of this launch, we are concerned that this is more of an ANC stunt to lure voters than a genuine intention to deliver services to the residents of Roodepan. The promise to deliver housing projects in this city was made at the start of the 6th administration by Premier Saul and its only making headway now at the eve of the 2024 elections. 

This project has been long overdue, the residents of Kimberley have been waiting for a project like this. Our preeminent concern is that we have seen this movie before, and we know how it ends. We have witnessed many projects of this magnitude being announced as well as being started yet have never seen its completion thereof. 

What is appalling is the fact that, the city is sitting with many projects that are left unfinished, such as the mental health institution which started with a budget of R290 million yet, to date, it has not been no progress made despite millions of rands having been spent already.

ActionSA will not allow this housing project to be another looting opportunity for the ANC. The Premier previously announced that, from the allocated budget, government will deliver 6 400 houses. He will be held to account to his promise and fulfil it. 

Issued by ActionSA Northern Premier Candidate Andrew Louw