WATCH: Move One Million takes to the Roodepoort streets hoping for change
Closer to home, stats show that in the month leading up to the event, the group's online footprint doubled in Roodepoort, indicating an obvious desire to build a better future.
Almost as if government wished to amplify their shortcomings, the Move One Million convoy made its way through the streets of Roodepoort in the middle of the rolling blackouts, dubbed ‘load-shedding’ by Eskom’s public relations team.
Beginning on the fringes of Muldersdrift on Saturday, 5 September, the almost 100 vehicle strong stream of passionate South Africans staggered between the endless procession of electricity-deprived traffic lights. The city could run on the power of the movement’s energy alone as the enthusiasm from each car and its occupants united in their dissatisfaction with the status quo.
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The Move One Million movement is an offshoot of the #ImStaying Facebook group and is born out of frustration with government and a desire for coherent leadership. “Since March this year, our leaders have been patronising us instead of protecting us. Enough is enough!” stated founder, Jarette Petzer in a press release issued before the nationwide campaign.
Capitalising on a recent decision to allow independent candidates to contest elections, Petzer hopes to lay the foundation in the coming years to promote candidates that strive to make a tangible difference. “The legacy of South Africa’s liberation movement has become captured and is merely a shadow of what it once was,” claimed Petzer.
From New Zealand to Norway, the South African diaspora is spread across the globe with members from 16 countries taking part on Saturday. The aim of the mass mobile march was to drive home the group’s message, with Petzer stating, “We reject the escalating violent crimes and gender-based violence. We reject the race-baiting and divisive narratives. We reject on-going poverty, finger-pointing, and the lack of accountability.”
Critics of the group have, however, questioned whether social media campaigns have the power to truly transform a society that struggles to provide easily accessible internet. Some have also pointed out how the bulk of the online support comes from expatriates posting messages of solidarity from the comfort of their new homes abroad.
Closer to home, stats show that in the month leading up to the event, the group’s online footprint doubled in Roodepoort, indicating an obvious desire to build a better future. South Africans may all agree that there is an alternate direction to take the country but there may be multiple opinions as to what direction that should be.
While support in areas that have traditionally been in opposition to the current ruling party would be easy to find, a new direction for South Africa can only be achieved by swaying the minds of the overwhelming majority who support the incumbents.
Move One Million gives hope with strong messaging and a big heart, but only time will tell whether it can help usher in leadership that the people of this great country can be proud of.
