Mahikeng – Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa, on Friday rolled up his sleeves to paint one of the rooms of the Mahikeng Provincial Hospital, in the North West.
Accompanied by Cooperative Governance Minister, Pravin Gordhan, Water and Sanitation Minister, Nomvula Mokonyane, and North West Premier, Supra Mahumapelo, the Deputy President painted a section at the hospital before handing over a machine that effectively treats patients with cataracts.
The machine was donated by the private sector.
The deputy president took his time to speak to surprised-looking patients and visiting relatives who had come to see doctors at the hospital.
Armed with a black refuse bags, Deputy President Ramaphosa and his delegation then held a clean-up campaign at two local taxi ranks in the Mahikeng CBD.
The deputy president and ministers chatted to locals and shop owners as locals sang and danced in delight, bringing the city centre to a stop.
The delegation is also set to visit a house nearby.
The visit to the area is part of Mandela Day, the first one to be commemorated since the former President Nelson Mandela passed away in December last year. On 18 July, Mandela would have turned 96.
The cleaning campaign follows a call by President Jacob Zuma in his State of the Nation to clean the country’s cities and towns.
Mandela Day is being commemorated at the same time that government has embarked on its National Imbizo Focus week.
