#Elections2024: Former MP shares thoughts on elections
"Elect good, honest and capable leaders, so society at large benefits."
With the elections on May 29, Dr Ismail Vadi, a former Member of the Executive Council for Roads and Transport in the Gauteng Provincial Government says voting is a democratic and constitutional right for all South Africans, which must be cherished.
“It is a right that was earned through a hard, difficult and prolonged struggle against white minority rule. Through the electoral process, ordinary citizens can choose their representatives in institutions of political power and authority. If we elect good, honest and capable leaders, society at large benefits. Decisions must be taken in the public interest rather than in the interest of a corrupt elite.”
He expressed that every vote is important.
“It may be the deciding factor in determining who comes into power. If responsible, good and peace-loving South Africans withdraw from the elections, it may mean that irresponsible, incapable and corrupt figures may assume positions of power and this will not be in our interests eventually.
“Casting a vote means placing one’s trust in a leader and a political party. This trust should not be taken lightly. One must consider it quite carefully when making a choice. Is the person and party I am supporting capable of governing effectively and efficiently? Will there be good use of public resources and funds? Will politicians act in my best interest? Will the elected leader be accountable to us over the next five years that he/she may be in parliament? These are some of the more important considerations one should keep in mind when voting.”
Vadi also served as a Member of Parliament for the ANC from 1994 – 2010. He has also lectured in the Faculty of Education at the University of the Witwatersrand.
Having retired from official politics in 2019, he now serves on the Board of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation.
He has published works in education, transport, security studies and liberation history. Currently, he is a Senior Research Associate at the University of Johannesburg.
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