South African General election 2024- What to consider when you vote?

It is no secret that South Africa’s general election is nearing us. From the countdowns on the posts on every social media platform, we need no reminders that the 29th May of 2024 is a big day. It indeed marks a very significant day for South Africa and South Africans. A day that will determine the outcome of many lives. In and out we breathe as we reflect on South Africa’s journey to democracy. Out we exhale the question of who is capable of governing our democracy.

The past few days have been very difficult for me as a citizen of South Africa. I have been wrestling with the thought of which political party to vote for. Three manifestos down and two more to go. Yet, I am still very unsettled. The act of voting is simple. The challenge there lies in questioning if one made the right decision. A decision that was not motivated by emotions however, a critical question of where South Africa is now and what South Africa needs?

History remains a contributing factor in informing us on how South Africa was constructed. The foundations of the construction of South Africa are clear yet very difficult to comprehend. To comprehend that racism, sexism and discrimination were birthed by the Apartheid policy is indeed disheartening. With that said, the realisation that a policy has the power to influence livelihoods is an aspect of policy-making that we can never take for granted. 

Therefore, for us as South Africans to establish where we are now, we need to understand the effects that a policy implemented centuries ago impacts livelihoods to date.

Where are we because of the implementation of the Apartheid policy?

The looming inequalities, severe unemployment and rife poverty. Women and persons of disabilities being underrepresented.The need for land reform and distribution to reduce the inequalities. The extremely high cost of living and overburdened healthcare system. The need for quality education, water and sanitation, energy and infrastructure. The intolerance and high crime rate on the list is endless. However, this is where we find ourselves as South Africa.

What do we need?

What we need as a people of South Africa is transformation. We want to actually bear witness to the lives of South Africans improving. Manifestos need to come to life. To tackle the heightened intolerance. We need to leverage the creative economies’ ability to foster social cohesion. We need to rebuild our democracy by strengthening our democratic values. We cannot achieve the mentioned without holding our government accountable.

What to consider when you vote?

We need a government that puts humanity first and understands that its past injustices cannot have a place in present South Africa. To have a government that defends democracy because South Africa is not only divided, its inequalities persist. A thirty year old democracy entrenched with the legacy of the Apartheid policy does not eradicate the triple challenges overnight. 

The concept of freedom still requires the process of unlearning. Freedom is being freed and living freely. Freedom is ending the mental wounds buried by oppression and embracing a renewed mind. Having a renewed mind enables one to think critically about where we come from and where we are headed?

Therefore, does your elected political party’s policy influence change and does your political party have the capacity to implement the policy effectively?

I am not affiliated to any political party. I am affiliated to the Africans. 

On Monday, I share my analysis on ANC, DA, EFF and MK manifestos. Please be on the lookout ?

Please VOTE on the 29th May 2024? 

Read Africa. Write about Africa. Put Africa first!

The hashtag to follow is #africabelongstoUS , #amplifyingvoices, #authenticstories and #voteSA  

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