On Wednesday, May 29, it will be precisely 30 years, one month and two odd days since the day South Africans stood in snaking queues that made for iconic images of the first democratic elections in which all eligible, no matter their colour, race, religion, ideology, culture or creed waited their turn to choose a party they wished to govern.
It was an epic moment that will likely never be replayed no matter how much we yearn for that magical moment. Our founding president Nelson Mandela captured the essence of it all when he declared in his inauguration speech that: “The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement.” Madiba declared in conclusion: “Let freedom reign.”
Indeed, it is no mean achievement that 30 years later the nation is heading into another elections. Each and everyone of them declared free and fair. Freedom indeed, reigns.
But, if the 1994 polls were about liberating the people of this country who were put under the cruel yoke of apartheid and colonialism for about four centuries, what are the elections on Wednesday about?
First Sunday World would like, dear reader, to emphasise that much as we have had regular free and fair elections so much so that many in their millions have lost interest and choose rather to stay away, let’s go out in vast numbers to cast our ballots as it is vitally important.
The red on our multi-colour flag represents the blood split by generation upon generation of gallant fighters for this freedom we all enjoy. The first step is to elect to vote, then followed by the choices the individual voter will make in the booth.
We took umbrage a couple of editions ago to the people who saw fit to burn our flag. It was an act of utter disrespect and rejection of all that freedom mean. Governments come and go but an attack on us as a people should never be tolerated. Vote wisely.
The choice remains yours as a voter but whatever the decision, put South Africa first. Let freedom reign.
To answer the question of what May 29 is about, retired former cabinet minister Valli Moosa, a hero of the Struggle, has put out a video and says it is about whether to remove from power the ANC, which has governed for three decades.
Moosa goes on to list his reasons for the decision he has made to put his marker next to the logo of the oldest liberation movement in Africa. Many in their millions will follow his example in appreciation – as it is indeed only fair – the good that Mandela’s, Tambo’s and Mbeki’s party has done for this land.
There have been mistakes aplenty in the 30 years since 1994, and to try and sweep those under the proverbial carpet is also not being particularly patriotic about this project we all signed for and pledged our loyalty to since 1994. Again, the choice is in your hands, literally. Put South Africa first. Let freedom reign.
There are many other pretenders to the throne as borne testimony by the size of the ballot paper voters will be handed at polling stations. They have made their claims on many platforms, trying to coax you to choose them. When you step into the booth to place your X, again think of South Africa. Put your country first, and seek to build post voting day whatever the results. Let freedom reign.
Vote, the beloved country.
