Three decades into democracy, and South African citizens will be marking their crosses in what is expected to be one of the most crucial elections in the country’s history since April 27, 1994. NONTOBEKO AISHA MKHWANAZI reports.
THE long-awaited moment to reflect on and shape the future of South Africa has finally arrived. It commenced with registered voters living abroad going to the voting stations at South African missions on May 18 and 19, 2024 to cast their ballots.
They will be followed by those registered for special votes going to the polls today and tomorrow (May 27 and 28). And then millions will line up to make their mark on Wednesday, May 29
Among the 29 334 Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)-approved registered voters to cast their votes in the 2024 national elections at one of the 121 foreign missions was Armien Cassiem, an Arabic and history teacher in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
In an exclusive interview with Muslim Views, Cassiem shared his perspective and experience as a South African living abroad participating in the democratic process.
Having grown up in Cape Town, Cassiem has been living abroad for the past three years. In citing the reason for his migration he said his relocation was motivated by the ‘better earning potential’.
Highlighting the inspiration for casting his vote even though he is far from home he underscored the importance of reflecting on the past.
‘Being part of a previously undemocratic country in which we were oppressed and denied the right to vote and after decades of struggles in which thousands sacrificed with their lives for a more just and equal society, it just makes sense to honour their memory and sacrifices to go to the polls and cast our votes,’ said Cassiem.
In shedding light on the importance of keeping up to date with political developments as a voter to make an informed decision, he noted that credible news sites, social media and family members play a huge role for voters abroad.
While there is no place better than home, Cassiem notes that the is a huge difference between voting at home as compared to voting abroad.
‘Elections abroad are a very quiet and low-key affair. Very few people in Saudi know about the elections. Sadly, however, there are also South Africans abroad who don’t know about the elections. In South Africa there are placards on poles all over the city and the buzz about elections makes it almost impossible to not become infected with the election euphoria,’ said Cassiem.
While he did not encounter an issue casting his vote, he feels that the voices of South Africans living abroad are not adequately represented and considered in election planning.
‘For example, in Saudi Arabia, voting was only allowed at the embassy in Riyadh and the consulate in Jeddah. For those not in these main centres, the ability to cast one’s vote was pretty much impossible. This is 2024 and no longer 1994; the country should allow those abroad to cast their votes online. In this way thousands more will be able to partake in the voting process,’ he said.
His anecdote from his voting experience is a reflection of the unjust society South Africans are still emerging from and the privileged position still held by a minority.
‘When we arrived at the embassy, 90 percent of those there who were waiting to cast their votes were white South Africans, majority of whom were Afrikaans-speaking. This shows that, being the qualified workforce due to having been granted access to better quality education during apartheid, they left South Africa to take up employment abroad. This may also show that they are still more politically engaged than the other groups in the country,’ noted Cassiem.
Among the most important issues Cassiem is addressing by casting his vote are the challenges faced by the underprivileged in South Africa.
‘We live in the most unequal country in the world. More so Cape Town which is easily the most stratified city in South Africa; a place where those who were privileged by the previous regime are still the privileged ones. Some are welcomed, even encouraged to emigrate to Cape Town, while other South Africans are made to feel unwelcome and referred to as immigrants who sponge off taxpayers,’ noted Cassiem.
When asked what impact he hopes his vote will make, his response echoed dreams of a better South Africa, free from any form of injustice.
‘Hopefully it’ll impact the country regarding accountability, address the massive unemployment crisis (at least 33 percent of those actively looking for a job cannot find a job), combat rampant crime, address corruption, resolve the energy crisis which has plagued the country since 2008. A reliable sustainable energy supply will also attract foreign investment into South Africa and act as a catalyst for economic growth and lowering the unemployment rate which, in turn, would have a domino effect in lowering crime in the country,’ said Cassiem.
He further said he will continue to participate in South African elections in the future, and further encourages all registered voters to cast their votes.
‘South Africa is our home, and we should show an interest in its future and its success,’ emphasised Cassiem.
