Mashaba urges Soweto residents to vote in local government elections
ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba warns that low voter turnout hands power back to failing politicians in a letter to Sowetans.
ActionSA president Herman Mashaba has penned an open letter to the residents of Soweto, encouraging them to help shape the future of the country by voting in the upcoming local government elections on November 4.
Mashaba expressed deep concern about living conditions in Soweto, noting that despite the township’s historical role in the liberation struggle, many residents continue to suffer amid low voter turnout.
“It really hurts me if you look at the living conditions of people of Soweto,” said Mashaba. “I know the role that Soweto played in the liberation of our people, and today I look at how they are suffering. Soweto is the biggest block of voters in the country in terms of actually shaping the political leadership of the country.”
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Addressing the low turnout rates recorded in previous elections during an interview with Soweto Urban, Mashaba argued that staying away from the polls allows corrupt ward councillors and failing parties to remain in power.
“So, as far as I’m concerned, people have self-inflicted. I always tell them, I say: ‘But people, you know, who bewitched you?’ You go to the IEC, you look at voter turnout, it’s between 40% and 50%. Most people are letting other people decide for them,” Mashaba noted.
Mashaba said Soweto residents could influence who becomes mayor, warning that failing to vote was equivalent to supporting the status quo.
“You don’t understand how democracy works; your vote is the one that decides who becomes mayor. Never be married to a political party. In a democracy, what happens is that if you decide not to vote, basically you are voting in advance to say whoever gets the majority, they have your support.”
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To take the message directly to households, ActionSA candidates will distribute printed copies of the letter to homes throughout Soweto ahead of the elections.
“Our candidates will make sure that each house in Soweto gets this letter. Let them read it and reflect.”
Mashaba warned that if Soweto residents failed to turn out on election day, they could face another five years of poor service delivery under the ANC and DA.
“The reason why they are suffering is because they did not go out and vote,” he emphasised.
“Please look at your IEC portal. When you look at the voting turnout in Soweto. People say they keep on voting, but they never voted. People of Soweto, please wake up,” he concluded.
