WITH as little as over a month before South Africans hit the polls, President Cyril Ramaphosa has called on Mzansi people to make sure the 29 May elections are free and without violence.
Writing in his newsletter on Monday, 15 April, he said despite its many challenges, SA democracy was in good health.
He said even as political and other forms of contestation continue in the run-up to this year’s polls, there was order and respect for freedoms and human rights.
“It's up to us all to ensure that this year’s election is a success in our ongoing journey of democratic consolidation. It's up to us all, whether as government, political parties, candidates, voters, the media or civil society organisations, to play our part by ensuring that our actions and words inspire faith in our democracy,” said Ramaphosa.
He emphasised that citizens must continue to work together to ensure that nothing undermined the integrity of our elections.
“Above all, it is up to us all to ensure that this hard-won right to vote, for which so many sacrificed so much, is exercised by every eligible citizen in a climate free of intimidation and all forms of violence,” he said.
Ramaphosa said he has proved the prophets of doom wrong time and again, and it was time to let this year’s election be yet another affirmation of the strength of Mzansi’s constitutional order, its institutions and its democracy.
The country will hold the seventh general election since it attained democracy in 1994.
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The president said: “South Africa’s electoral processes, together with the rights enjoyed by citizens and political parties to organise, campaign and contest, are among the greatest strengths of our constitutional order.
“Political contestation in our country takes place freely and openly. The media is free to report. We have independent courts that administer justice without fear or favour, including an Electoral Court that oversees the work of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the conduct of elections.”
He pointed out that as the country counts down to the election, the vibrant and robust campaigning that is taking place reflects how South Africa’s politics continues to evolve and mature.
He said it was also a reflection of the many different views in society and the variety of choices that voters have.
“In a democracy such as ours, we should not be worried about differences, even when sharply expressed. That is because the vast majority of South Africans value and respect the democratic process. They have faith in the rule of law and know that any disputes can be resolved through the courts and other legal avenues,” said Ramaphosa.
