Salvation Army calls for calm during electioneering
She said South Africa has travelled a long and difficult road to get to the point where everyone has the democratic right to vote. “Failing to register as a voter, or withholding your vote, is to be uncaring about your future, that of your children, or that of your fellow citizens.
The Salvation Army has called for tolerance and calm during electioneering, reminding South Africans of the need to act with dignity and restraint.
The organisation, which operated the Strathyre Girls Home in Kensington, also called on voters to use the period prior to the elections, on May 7, to consider how their vote can help build a just and equitable society for all.
Major Carin Holmes, the public relations secretary for the Southern Africa Territory of The Salvation Army, said tensions are already rising in the country.
“We are disturbed at the rising number of service delivery protests that degenerate into violence, as it would be deeply distressing if electioneering ended up with people being killed or injured and property damaged,” she said.
She said South Africa has travelled a long and difficult road to get to the point where everyone has the democratic right to vote. “Failing to register as a voter, or withholding your vote, is to be uncaring about your future, that of your children, or that of your fellow citizens.
“In spite of the progress made over the last 20 years since the first democratic elections, many underprivileged South Africans still lack their basic human right to decent housing, water, education, health care, safety and security, as is evidenced by the many service delivery protests we are witnessing at this time,” she said.
Officers, soldiers and full-time employees of the Salvation Army provide spiritual and community services through about 230 churches, societies and outposts, schools, hospitals, institutions for children, street children, the elderly, men and abused women, and daycare, goodwill, rehabilitation and social centres.
