Raucall Primary School, Crosby, Gauteng, South Africa.
Voters braced the icy wind and stood in what was at times a 2 hour line to cast there vote.
This elections had the highest amount of voters registrations since 1994.
Although i voted for the ruling party, albeit with a very heavy heart, my initial idea was to spoil my ballot by dedicating a prose about my reasons. However, after standing in the cue and engaging with my fellow South Africans, I was motivated to vote.
South Africa, like many other post colonial states suffers from the plague of corruption. All former colonised states in Africa and South America have a similar problem. Its not unique just to South Africa. In other African countries, corruption was a mandatory expense that everyone budgeted for.
South Africa is even more unique as Apartheid created unequal distribution of wealth which has resulted in vast income discrepancies and social inequality which exists even today. In fact, this problem will be around for the next 50 years, if not more.
Apartheid played a role in the high level of crime which is prevalent in South Africa. Brazil and India, two other unequal societies, also have high levels of crime. However, South Africa has violent crime. After understanding the role of apartheid and dehumanisation of majority of the population, it becomes easier to understand why we have such violent crime.
I support the BEE agenda as it hopes to create a strong Black Middle Class which aims to create a Political and Economic Elite which i think can be attributed to the formation of COPE. Although i don't agree with their policies or agenda, nor do i trust or like their leadership, I do LOVE the notion of COPE as i feel that its healthy for our 'vibrant' democracy.
South African politics at this point is exciting, interesting and VIBRANT.
As a student of History and Politics, i have a great respect for the ANC and what they achieved.
Polokwane in some sense can be viewed as a revolution within a party. It may also highlight the maturity of the African National Congress.
This is a critical time for South African politics, and more importantly, for the ANC.
Although i feel that there are problems within the ANC, i cannot bring myself to support any other party. Nor could i vote for any party either. But my support is for the ANC that fought against apartheid and that is dedicated to alleviating poverty and bringing about develop to a country where most citizens live in absolute poverty.
That's the ANC i voted for. The ANC with a rich history and with influential leaders. The ANC of Luthuli, Sisulu and Mandela.
Just like the world is counting and hoping that Barack Obama can succeed and bring about something positive in this chaotic, corrupt and unjust world. So too am I hoping that this ANC succeeds. As I done see any other party articulating or championing the cause of the poor.
Although deemed corrupt and ineffective, the ANC had and will do more for the poor than any other party. At least i hope so.
We can never and should never loose hope. When South Africans stood in hour long lines wanting to articulate their vote my striking an X on their ballot, i realised that we all live in hope. Although to some extent democracy can be a farce, political apathy cannot be tolerated in the society we live.
South Africa has a deep history of political awareness and activism. The average person cannot engage in policy processes. But we can all exercise our right to just vote. The educated and literate elite then have a greater responsibility in these processes.
For democracy to work, citizen participation is necessary.
Whether we vote for hope or representation, its the least we can do. In fact, its the least we do!
