I am cynical by nature, but even more so lately.
We are days away from the 2016 local government election and ward candidates are doing their level best to canvas for votes.
While I am sure many of the candidates have residents’ needs at heart, you cannot help but wonder whether these politicians are spinning stories, in the knowledge that they won’t be able to deliver on their promises.
But, I hope the poor souls who are victims of these politicians do decide to vote on August 3, whether or not they believe the rhetoric – for vote we must vote.
I had a discussion a few weeks ago with a group of people, and asked them whether they will vote.
The majority of them said “no” to the August 3 election.
I could not believe my ears and tried to explain my point of view, why it is vital to vote, which included the old discussion of people having died for the right, the need to have a say, blah, blah blah.
Instinctively I reacted by saying that you would forfeit your right to complain.
I was told that that was okay, and that they would not.
Freedom of choice is accepted and understood, but surely we all need to have a say in the ruling of our country, especially at a local government level, as your decision impacts your day-to-day life.
Another “famous” argument is that one vote will not matter.
If I were given an extra vote every time I heard that, I would probably be President.
The one-vote principle is at the core of a democracy and, with over 50 million people in our country, together we have a big voice.
I am sure my reasoning fell on deaf ears, but it was good for me to hear my voice anyway.
I am immensely proud to be a South African, but, more importantly, a Benonian.
My little town can do with a make over in its CBD; I would like to see the Benoni Country Club stay in its current form and not be developed into a housing estate; my roads pothole free and a safe environment for all my town’s inhabitants.
It really does not matter to me who delivers on the dreams for my town – black, white, coloured or Indian – just give me quality service delivery.
If you have registered for the upcoming election and you are in two minds about whether you should be voting or not, please remember: you need to have a say in your democracy; you will forfeit the right to complain if you do not vote and your willingness to vote surely means you are willing to fight for what is right and a better life for you and your children.
I will go into the voting booth hoping my vote will matter more for the services I would like to receive, and not so much the political party who will bring it to me.
Whether my candidate wins the ward or not, I will sleep well at night knowing I had the guts to say I took an active role in our democracy.
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