Program directors
MEC’s present
Chairperson of the IEC
Leaders of faith organisations
Ladies and gentlemen
As we move closer to 18 May 2011, the day on which the multitudes of South Africans will exercise their suffrage right to choose government, we resolved as united children of God to assemble here to pray for guidance, peace and an orderly conduct of local government elections. The day of elections occupies a special place in the hearts of our people. It is the day that reminds us of the suffering and sacrifice made by our people to achieve freedom and democracy. It is the day on which South Africans honour the spirits of those who died fighting for a country free of racial prejudice, oppression, state brutality, equality and justice for all.
The blood of these martyrs made it possible for us to celebrate and embrace our diversity and humanity as one nation. It has given us courage and inspiration to work for a better life for all. It gave us as the legacy of the Constitution, which is the cornerstone of our society. We shall always draw strength from our martyrs as we build a proud nation and a prosperous country once besieged by evil forces of apartheid.
Today, we gather to pray because we understand and respect the power of God. Our prayer is one way of appreciating this power of God, the power to bring light where there is darkness, the power to give strength where there is weakness and the power to overcome hardship. We know that when our people were faced with adversity it was the power of prayer and faith that provided fortitude and determination to strive for change. We shall therefore continue to call on our God to be with us at all times.
Program director,
The conduct of elections is a necessary pulse for any democracy. It allows people to express their free will. It is through elections that governments are rejected or supported by the electorates. So the conduct of elections should always be characterised by the levelling of the playing fields to allow for fair and free elections.
The opposite is also true, since elections can be a silly season in which tempers flare, leading to death as witnessed in other countries of the world. They can be used to spread lies, malice and contempt which serve to polarise and antagonise children of the same seed, from the same father and mother. It is thus important that in this period we should remain sober and vigilant so that we do not become a ready fodder for the ones intending to destroy our democracy and country.
Our Constitution promotes the holding of regular free and fair elections to institutionalise legitimate authority of a representative government as well as a democratic change of government. We should all go out in great numbers and vote for what we believe in. When we vote we should show maturity, tolerance and respect for one another irrespective of colour, creed or political party. It is an opportunity for all of us to demonstrate to the world that South Africa, indeed, is a truly free and democratic country.
When voting we are cultivating a culture that will see democratic values and principles being entrenched thus making it difficult for any tyrannical ruler to rise to the throne. We have been there before and we shall not slide back to that era of oppression again. We now have a weapon in our hands, the right to vote.
As a God fearing nation, we need to earnestly pray and ask for God’s will to prevail in these elections. Our prayers should go to all those who have worked tirelessly to ensure that the elections become a success. Prayers should also go to all those who are campaigning and contesting the election. It is not about them but the unity of the nation and the country. Above all, we should pray for peaceful, fair and free elections to prevail.
May God bless you.
Dankie.
Ngiyabonga.
For more information contact:
Dumisani Zulu
Cell: 082 602 3532
Source: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government
