LYDENBURG – The ANC in Thaba Chweu Municipality (TCM) won the recent elections by obtaining 69,61 per cent of the votes in this municipality.
Despite a 10,07 per cent drop in votes from the last election in 2009, the party still managed to obtain the majority of votes in the district.
At 42 of the 46 voting stations in TCM, the party obtained more than half of all the votes. The DA managed to obtain 18,46 per cent of the votes and prevailed by being the preferred party at four of the stations. The newly formed EFF saw some support in TCM with 7,59 per cent of the total votes. The VF+ obtained some 1,81 per cent.
At Lesodi Primary, the ANC obtained a staggering 87,30 per cent of the votes and at the Mashishing Community Hall and Marambane Primary School the party obtained 84,58 per cent and 87,47 per cent, respectively.
Of the 49 943 voters registered, 36 261 votes were cast. However, only 35 688 votes were regarded as valid. This means that 573 in TCM were regarded as invalid.
The executive mayor of TCM, Mr Michael Ncongwane said he would like to thank everyone and all parties for participating in the general elections. “I would also like to congratulate the ANC in particular for the victory it achieved. The DA has also made strides in growth. I appreciate the tolerance that was displayed by all the parties and I am grateful that the elections went on peacefully and were declared free and fair. I am grateful for the way the IEC has conducted these elections.
He said the ANC had been given a new mandate to govern the country again. “There are great challenges that lie ahead and as the ruling party, we are prepared to put our shoulder to the wheel in order to bring about change in the lives of all the people in South Africa. We need the support of everybody because our belief is that together we can take South Africa forward and together we can take TCM forward. God help us all.”
Provincial deputy chairman for the DA, Ms Sonja Boshoff said it was with great pride and joy that she wanted to thank every single person residing in Thaba Chweu who voted for the DA.
“Your vote not only ensured my re-election, but it also showed your confidence in the DA to hold government to account. The mandate that you brought by voting DA is evidence of the trust you have in it as the most reliable opposition party in South Africa.
“I undertake to promote the interests of the people of Thaba Chweu and that of my province in my term of office as a member of parliament for the next five years.”
Boshoff said it is a great honour being one of the 89 DA members of the National Assembly of Parliament and one of the 400 men and women in the entire country, chosen by the people. “I would not be here if it were not for the support of my family, my many friends, activists, colleagues and voters. I thank you all from the depths of my heart, and I believe I will make you all, our party, and our country proud as your representative.”
National Federal VF+ councillor in Mpumalanga, Mr Frik Rousseau said he had predicted that the ANC would obtain some 65% of all the votes. “I was, however wrong, the party won with 62.15% overall. Let’s be honest, the ANC knows how to win elections. They have been doing it for the past 20 years. This party also had the best ground level campaign of all parties. It is unquestionable that millions of people are better off now than in 1994.”
He said the VF+ grew countrywide with 13 per cent. “We obtained a seat in the North West, managed to keep all our other seats and now have provincial representatives in Gauteng, the Freestate and North West as well as four seats in Parliament.
In a proportional system like South Africa, the interest party will always have a role to play. Like the Green Party in Germany who is keeping environmental issues alive, we want to keep the minority rights alive. I would like to thank my wife Andri and all my friends who have stood by me during this gruelling election campaign.
A big thank you also to the SAPS headed by Col Hans Putter for excellent protection during the election. Thank you to the IEC’s head Boyzi Mkosi in TCM for a free and fair election. Last but not least, a big thank you to every single person who voted for the VF+ in Mpumalanga.”
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