MANDLA RADEBE of Norkem Park writes:
With a growing sense of hopelessness concerning SA’s challenges, especially high unemployment, low economic growth and inequality, many South Africans are asking themselves if they should bother voting.
Concerns about leadership or lack thereof are a source of this question. But why should we vote? We vote because we have a right to do so, something some of us couldn’t do before 1994, and for some, a right to vote carries an emotional attachment with a pain their loved ones suffered fighting for it.
My favourite comes from Nelson Mandela. After casting his first vote at Inanda, KZN he said: “This is for all South Africans, an unforgettable occasion. It is the realisation of hopes and dreams that we have cherished over decades. The dreams of a South Africa which represents all South Africans. It is the beginning of a new era. We have moved from an era of pessimism, division, limited opportunities, turmoil and conflict. We are starting a new era of hope, reconciliation and nation building.”
Very inspiring, but time passed bringing many challenges with it; economic downturn, disregard of law by leaders, wasteful expenditure, poverty, inequality, re-emergence of racism, destruction of infra-structure and political arrogance. This heightened pessimism, bringing that ugly question again, why should I vote?
Given our history, deciding not to vote should never come naturally to any South African. Mandela’s statement tells me that our vote carries the power to effect change. Giving up on it, is giving up on ourselves.
No political incompetence should ever influence us to give up on our powerful right to vote. My observation is that despondence about voting comes from two sources; one is where voters, after voting for a party that later fails to deliver, never want to vote for another party, and the other is fear that once a party has been viewed as a “liberator”, then democracy can never be possible through any other. False!
If I was any party’s member, the best way to get it to deliver would be by voting for another party. I find it a very selfish decision not to vote just because your party is not delivering and you can only vote for your party. We also need rid ourselves of the fear of the unknown and realise that SA has more than three parties and apartheid and racism have no possible breath in our future.
How much of what is happening now did you know will happen? By continuing to feed this fear, we are perpetuating the status quo. Imagine SA in 20 year with this attitude!
Lastly, voting must remind us how evil apartheid was. Think of Oliver Tambo, Govan Mbeki, Nelson Mandela, who forfeited a parent’s God-given right to raise their children normally, like you do. Beyers Naude, who, for renouncing apartheid, was denied the right to attend a local church and had to worship in Alexandra.
Chris Hani, who never made it to 27 April 1994, fighting for this right. This narrow interest of forsaking to vote is a spit on the face for these people and those trying to build the country.
Please shoulder this responsibility. Mandela continued his statement: “We sincerely hope that by the mere casting of a vote the results will give hope to all South Africans and make all South Africans realise this is our country. We are one nation. But we are also concerned about the minorities in the country – especially the white minority. We are concerned about giving confidence and security to those who are worried that by these changes they are now going to be in a disadvantaged position.”
Freedom carries responsibilities, voting is one and for the party that loves your country.
