President Cyril Ramaphosa has encouraged South Africans to cast their vote in the upcoming 2024 National and Provincial elections.
“As we cast our votes, we were mindful of the weight of history. We were mindful of the fact that so many people had struggled and sacrificed for this right to vote, and many had lost their lives in the cause of freedom,” the President said on Friday.
On 29 May 2024, South Africa will hold elections for the national and provincial government.
“Many of us remember the historic Election Day in 1994, when we voted for the very first time for a democratic government of our choice. We all remember how we felt as we stood in long queues patiently waiting to cast our vote for a government of our choice.
“The right to vote has been the cornerstone of our democratic order and is enshrined in the Bill of Rights of our constitution. As you cast your ballot, firstly through special vote on the 27th and 28th of May, and many of us on the 29th of May, you will be demonstrating your faith in our democratic order.
WATCH | President Ramaphosa calls on South Africans to vote
“By placing your crosses on the ballot papers, you will be executing a responsibility that history has placed on your shoulders. Most importantly, you will be deciding for yourself the direction that our country should take and determining the path that we should follow to get there,” the President said.
He said voting means taking responsibility for the future.
“Your vote is important. Your vote counts. As the election campaigns have unfolded, we have shown that we are a diverse, tolerant, and free society where different views can be heard and are respected. Let us continue in this way. Let us all work together to ensure that we have an election that is free, fair, and peaceful. I call upon you to go and vote,” the President said. –SAnews.gov.za
