MBOMBELA – In a final electioneering effort, and after many postponements, President Cyril Ramaphosa finally paid a speedy visit to Bushbuckridge on Monday.
Pundits are predicting that it is a make-or-break election, and the most important to determine the country’s future since the first democratic election
25 years ago.
The new generation of voters showed their grasp of the grave issues facing the country during a heated debate held at Penryn College on Friday.
The six parties presented came under fire from the pupils, who bombarded them with questions on pressing issues such as climate change, land expropriation without compensation, service delivery and corruption.
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Every statement by the participating ACDP, ANC, COPE, DA, EFF and VF+ was met with another question or quip from audience members and it was clear that the learners were passionate about the future of the country and not easily accepting any promises.
One question that caused an uproar in the audience was whether the ANC’s alleged victim mentality would be a hindrance in its efforts to lead the nation. All six parties responded to the question.
The ANC’s Pholoso Mbatsane responded to the question by saying the country still has a predominantly white economy. “We cannot shy away that blacks were disadvantaged,” the party said.
The VF+ Colleen Farrel in turn remarked that “when the ANC bring up an argument about race, we have to remember that we are mothers and sisters and fathers and brothers. If we work together, this country can be magnificent”.
The EFF’s Zweli Malope agreed with the VF+, saying no man is born a racist. “But why are the ownership patterns still divided along racial lines? We will have a victim mentality until we can all contribute to the economy equally.”
“In South Africa we need to do away with black and white,” the ACDP’s Bennet Thobela said, and added that part of the problem in South Africa was the implementation of BEE that led to many unskilled workers.
According to the DA’s Dumisile Masuku, they are a non-racial, non-sexist party. On the issue of ownership of land they said, “We first need to look at the land in the hands of the government. The land is available. We just need to give it to the people.”
COPE’s Rob Hutchinson said they agreed that there was injustice in the past. “The problem is victims cannot solve problems in the future, as they keep on looking to the past. Why would we just transfer the land? We want to reform the land that is already available, create new farms with double the growth, double the produce as well as double the jobs.”
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The IEC opened its provincial results centre at Mbombela Stadium on Friday.
The acting PEO, Jabu Mthethwa, declared the centre open in the presence of various political parties, members of the IEC, the police as well as provincial police commissioner, Lt Gen Mondli Zuma.
“It has been a long, long way that we have travelled with you. From the beginning of democracy Mpumalanga has been a peaceful province and we urge you to keep the tranquillity and unity of the province during the elections,”
Mthethwa said.
“All the results will be audited to ensure that they are fair and accurate,” provincial IEC spokesman, Sibusiso Nkosi said.
“We are mature now. The election is a day to be celebrated and we will be doing it peacefully for Mpumalanga,” Mthethwa concluded.
The casting of special votes commenced yesterday and will conclude today.
Everything you need to know for Wednesday’s elections
• All voting stations will be open from 07:00 to 21:00.
• You can only vote if you present a valid identification document (ID), smart ID or temporary ID. A certified copy of your ID will not be accepted.
• Voters can check their voting station location by SMSing their ID number to 32810 (R1) and can reach the contact centre on 0800-11-8000 for all enquiries regarding the elections.
• The majority of offices of the Department of Home Affairs will be open until 19:00 for IDs to be collected.
• Remember to check that the back of both your ballot papers are stamped, otherwise your vote will not count.
• The final results are expected to be announced no later than Saturday.
