NONTOBEKO AISHA MKHWANAZI was present at the signing of the pledge by political parties to uphold the principles of democracy and serve their communities.
IN the heart of Freedom Month, amidst the much-anticipated 2024 national elections, the Western Cape provincial election candidates gathered in numbers to pledge to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) Electoral Code of Conduct at Dulcie September Hall in Athlone, Cape Town.
This event which took place on April 18 not only marked a significant milestone in South Africa’s democratic journey but also paid homage to the sacrifices made by those who fought tirelessly for freedom and equality.
Enriched by the profound words of guest speaker Judge Albie Sachs, whose personal history is deeply intertwined with South Africa’s struggle for freedom and democracy, Judge Sachs eloquently narrated the path from oppression to liberation.
‘How wonderful and sad that we are meeting at the Dulcie September Hall,’ he began, invoking the memory of Dulcie September, an anti-Apartheid activist who was tragically assassinated in Paris by the Apartheid regime.
Judge Sachs’ words deeply moved the audience as he recounted his time in solitary confinement, deprived of basic rights and freedoms.
Despite the adversity he faced he emphasised the transformative power of democracy.
‘I was a registered advocate of the Cape Town Bar, Supreme Court Cape of Good Hope Provincial Division and instead of taking my clients out of jail there I was sitting in solitary confinement after being bombed and losing my arm. I was subjected to torture and sleep deprivation for fighting for an end to apartheid. I was isolated, alone and grieving for it was hard,’ said Judge Sachs.
He also emphasised the profound significance of voting in South Africa, saying ‘The road to freedom is via the cross, the cross on the ballot paper, and we ought to utilise this right because we once lived in a dark era where we had no rights at all.’
Against the backdrop of Judge Sachs’ powerful narrative, the IEC’s Western Cape Provincial Electoral Officer, Micheal Hendrickse, announced a historic milestone in the region’s electoral history. With a record-high 3 314 050 registered voters, comprising a significant portion born after 1980, the 2024 elections symbolise a new era of civic engagement and political participation.
The signing ceremony, a prelude to the upcoming elections, signifies the commitment of political parties and individuals to uphold the principles of democracy and serve their communities.
Hendrickse highlighted that this event is one of the three significant events in terms of the nomination processes.
‘With the first being the awarding of certificates to political parties and individuals to affirm that they stand ready to contest the elections and serve communities when elected. The second being the signing of the sample ballot paper which signifies the commitment to the electoral process and compliance to the rules. The ballot is symbolic to the right to vote and the right to be voted for,’ said Hendrickse.
With 29 parties vying for seats in the Western Cape Provincial Legislature, 34 parties and one independent contesting in the Western Cape regional ballot and a total of 42 parties contesting nationally, voters have a diverse array of choices.
‘This democratic plurality reflects the vibrancy of South Africa’s political landscape and underscores the importance of inclusive representation,’ added Hendrickse.
Echoing this sentiment, vice-chairperson of the electoral commission, Commissioner Janet Love, emphasised the collective responsibility to ensure freedom and security for all citizens to exercise their democratic rights.
She cautioned candidates against ‘being the manifestation of unreasonableness,’ urging them to participate constructively in the electoral process.
‘Whatever we do, we need to bear in mind the future of this country,’ she asserted, calling on candidates to prioritise the nation’s well-being over individual victories.
As preparations for the elections intensify, electoral matters manager, Belinda Mbhele, outlined logistical arrangements to ensure a smooth voting process.
With 1 572 voting stations in the Western Cape, measures have been implemented to streamline the voting experience and mitigate long queues.
Mbhele reassured voters that load shedding would not disrupt the voting process, with contingency plans in place to address any power outages.
In the spirit of transparency and accountability, Mbhele emphasised the importance of facilitating free and fair elections, affirming the commitment of electoral authorities to uphold the integrity of the democratic process.
‘We are in talks with Eskom, and we have also procured mobile lights to be used at voting stations,’ she says, underscoring the dedication to ensuring that every citizen can exercise their right to vote without impediment.
As the countdown nears the election day on May 29,2024, Mbhele says the IEC is ready.
This article was first published in the May 3, 2024 print edition of Muslim Views.
