“Very Sad”: Cyril Ramaphosa Accused of Love-Bombing Gogos With Gifts at ANC Event

A video showing President Cyril Ramaphosa interacting with elderly women at what appears to be an ANC campaign gathering has sparked heated debate on South African social media.

The footage, which circulated on TikTok on Saturday, 24 October 2026, shows gifts being distributed to the gogos as the president engages with one of the women. While the gathering appeared cheerful, the video quickly attracted criticism from viewers who questioned the timing and intentions behind the gesture.

Some social media users accused Ramaphosa and the ANC of attempting to win over voters through gifts ahead of the upcoming local government elections, while others expressed concern about the treatment of elderly people in politically charged environments.

The video was shared by TikTok account @newsnexussa, with on-screen text reading, “The Gogos are receiving all the gifts. 24 Oct 2026.”

In the clip, Ramaphosa can be seen exchanging a few words with an elderly woman who appears captivated by the encounter. Gifts were also handed out to other older women attending the gathering.

The footage subsequently gained traction online, with the term “love-bombing” featuring prominently in the comments as critics questioned whether the interaction was a genuine gesture of goodwill or a political strategy.

The video prompted strong reactions, with several viewers expressing disappointment and accusing political leaders of using vulnerable communities to gain electoral support.

TikTok user _Koko described the interaction as “This is love bombing,” a comment that received 989 likes.

Another user, Dankie Ozzie, was equally critical, describing the scene as “disgusting”. The comment attracted 2,232 likes, highlighting the level of engagement the video generated.

Meanwhile, Ncebo Masuku offered a different perspective on the broader issue of voting, writing: “Voting should have an age limit ayikho lento.”

The comments reflected the divided opinions surrounding the footage, with some users questioning the political motives behind the gift distribution and others making sarcastic remarks about the situation.

The controversy comes as political parties prepare for the next round of local government elections, with campaigning and voter engagement expected to remain key talking points.

For critics, the footage raised questions about whether distributing gifts at political gatherings could influence voters, particularly elderly people who may face financial challenges.

Others used the opportunity to express their frustration with political leadership and the state of service delivery in South Africa.

For now, the video has fuelled further debate about political campaigning, voter trust and the expectations South Africans have of their leaders ahead of the upcoming elections.

“Very Sad”: Cyril Ramaphosa Accused of ‘Love-Bombing’ Gogos with Gifts at Campaign Event – Briefly.co.za

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