Food for Thought!

17 May Food for Thought!

Are you voting? Elections are around the corner! 

This year marks the 30^th Anniversary of the first Democratic Elections in South Africa. The date for the elections has been set for the 29^th of May 2024 but for those who are casting special votes, the polls will be open on the 27^th and the 28^th of May 2024 (please note that registration for special votes closed on Friday, the 03^rd of May 2024). The voting stations will open from 07:00 to 21:00.

We are a couple of days away from the day, so let’s get you prepared to vote.

Know your candidates –

A lot of people have low public trust towards politicians in our country. Most of this distrust is linked to concerns around our sluggish economic growth, high unemployment, crime, corruption, collapsing public infrastructure causing water and power outages, and fear of the unknown or fear of repeating the past.

One of the criticisms that often is expressed in the sidelines is that politicians only show up to canvass for votes as an election nears.

Long-term studies like those done by the Human Sciences Research Council and Afrobarometer have highlighted persistently declining trust levels over the past 15 years – and put the governing party at trust levels around the 27% mark and opposition parties somewhat lower.

But the solution to this distrust is not folding our arms and distancing ourselves from our country’s politics. A lot of us know the famous quote, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.” This is your chance to make a difference by doing something – casting your vote at this year’s elections.

Each of us has the responsibility to be involved and make informed decisions. We can do this by researching and understanding the plans and intentions of the party we choose to vote for. Intentions are not always so clear and what we hear from candidates might be genuine and at times might be falsified information. But there are numerous sources online to help us gain this understanding.

• Read up on major parties’ manifestos here – https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/elections-2024/

General Election Rule –

Eligible voters are reminded of the general rule for elections – a person must register where they live, and vote at the voting station where they are registered. However, in the event a voter intends to be in a different voting district on voting day, such a voter must notify the Commission of their intended absence from their voting district and must identify the voting station where they wish to cast the vote. Known as Section 24A notices, these are live at www.elections.org.za  Notifications in this regard will close on 17 May 2024.

You can check whether you are registered to vote this year on the Voter Information page. You can also SMS your ID number to 32810 (all SMSs are charged at R1) or contact the call centre at 0800 11 8000.

For those who are registered, join the record 27,72 million registered voters making their voices heard at the voting stations!

References –

1. South African Government Media Statements, Electoral Commission welcomes announcement of 2024 election date, 21 February 2024
2. Daily Maverick, A complete guide to voting in the 2024 South African general elections, 30 April 2024
3. MSN, FACTS: Tight South Africa vote to test ANC’s hold on power, 29 April 2024
4. Daily Maverick, Leaked audio exposes ANC election plan for government PR events to showcase successes, 01 May 2024