First-time voters encouraged to vote

ANC president, Jacob Zuma, captivated the Botshabelo residents last week Friday during an election campaign road show, when he cautioned them against voting for “angry and useless political parties” and encouraged first-time voters to register for the 2014 national elections.

South Africa will be celebrating 20 years of freedom and democracy in 2014. The ruling party is set to highlight what it has achieved through government programmes. The ANC will also look at the challenges that have hindered smooth service delivery in the country since 1994.

“We are here in the Free State visiting this place to give a particular message. The democracy brought us the right to vote. That right is very important because it says during elections you can choose the party you want to lead you. So do not waste it, especially for those who will be voting for the first time; you must go and register because this is the only way you can vote.

“So when you have this right, you must use it wisely and do not throw it away and vote for useless political parties. Some parties talk too much but they do nothing. They are not in government; they will never be in government, so this means they cannot do anything for you. There are parties formed out of anger; you cannot vote for anger,” said Zuma.

Botshabelo is earmarked for the first phase of the election campaign because the Free State is considered the birthplace of the ANC. Zuma said the province, as the home of the ruling party, must ensure that ANC victory is guaranteed in next year’s elections.

“Next year, we will be celebrating 20 years since Nelson Mandela was elected as the first black South African president, so this calls for celebration. We will also be reporting back to the nation what have we done since 1994 in greater detail, and revealing the challenges we have encountered.”

The president said reporting government’s achievements is important because the ANC-led government has done a lot to create a better life for the people of South Africa adding that messages that are conveyed through different mediums do not reflect these achievements. Zuma emphasised that freedom came with challenges such as inadequate housing due to the migration of people to urban areas.

“For instance, we did not have electricity during apartheid, but we now have it in abundance. We need electricity to grow the economy. The number of people who need electricity is growing, and that is a challenge. However, as government we are determined to ensure that every citizen has electricity.”

Zuma promised the impoverished community of Botshabelo that the government will do its best to improve their living conditions. The government will also help the community in its fight against the gangsterism.

Zuma’s visit to Botshabelo reinforced the ANC’s election work in the province. The ANC in the province said this visit reaffirmed the party’s readiness and “continuous oiling of the election machinery needed to deliver an 85 percent landslide election victory in 2014”.

“Our programme involves telling and reminding our people about the achievements of ANC-led government over the years and it acknowledges the challenges and weaknesses. The ANC continues to enjoy the confidence of the people of the Free State.

“The message is we are reaching 20 years of freedom and democracy next year but also next year we are going for election. It is absolutely important that those who have not registered must go and register. Especially the first time voters, they must register,” said ANC provincial spokesperson, Thabo Meeko.

According to Meeko, the ANC government has rolled out massive programmes on youth development. He said the provincial government has made massive investment in education, sports, entrepreneurship, and social development that has uplifted many youth in the province.

“I have an RDP house, a water tap, electricity and my children go to school for free because of the ANC. Healthcare is also accessible, although there are individuals who will sometimes rubbish the efforts of our government. We have achieved a lot through the democracy in our country. Yes, there are shortfalls, but nothing is perfect; we will get there,” said Masabata Pule from Section W in Botshabelo.