Brigalia Bam, at a briefing to labour movement at Emperor Caesarâs Hotel in
Kempton Park
21 February 2006
Programme Director,
Leaders and representatives of the labour movement,
Fellow Commissioners,
Deputy Chief Electoral Officer,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Introduction
On behalf of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), it gives me great
pleasure and honour to welcome you to this very important briefing on the
upcoming local government elections. In line with the principles of our
democracy, which is consultative in nature, the Electoral Commission has been
engaging with a number of stakeholders to ensure that everyone is brought on
board and plays a pivotal role in the 2006 Local Government Elections. These
have included briefings to traditional leaders, political parties, youth
formations, media and religious organisations.
The labour movement â one of the key pillars of the struggle for democracy
in South Africa - is one such stakeholder. We have therefore, invited you to
this briefing because we know that you will contribute immensely to the success
of these elections. You have done so in past successive elections, and once
again we will be counting on your support.
Role of Trade Unions
Ladies and gentlemen, trade unions have played an influential role in
determining labour market and industrial relations policies in the country. The
labour movement is also credited for having played a crucial role in the demise
of apartheid, its legislation and practices at workplace and in the
country.
The militancy shown by the trade union movement in support of union
recognition and higher wages soon translated into political mobilisation
against apartheid structures.
The apartheid-era Industrial Conciliation Act, for example, recognised the
right of white, Indian and Coloured workers to belong to trade unions while
denying black workers the same right. Consequently, trade unions argued that
workers and their unions could not remain disengaged from community struggles
to dismantle the apartheid system.
Unions soon began participating in community struggles against high rents,
unrepresentative local councils and apartheid laws, leading in the 1980s to the
establishment of community organisations, including youth, student and womenâs
structures.
A co-operative relationship between unions and community organisations was
established. The many stay-aways in support of political demands in the 1980s
were jointly organised by the unions and community organisations.
The trade unions' valuable organisational and negotiating experience was
shared with community activists, ensuring effective community mobilisation.
Ladies and gentlemen, as we prepare to go to the polls in eight days from
now on, it is that spirit of community mobilisation that we so much need. And
that community mobilisation is a challenge to all of us here, especially trade
unions representatives.
South Africa today
Within ten years into democracy, South Africa has laid the foundations for
the design and implementation of policies to ensure democratic consolidation,
competitive multi-party engagement and citizen participation. The framework
created for political representation is laid out in the founding provisions of
the Constitution which states that South Africa is one sovereign democratic
state.
One of the important provisions in Chapter one of the Constitution states
that South Africa is founded on universal adult suffrage, a national votersâ
roll, regular elections and a multiparty system of democratic government, to
ensure accountability responsiveness and openness.
Ladies and gentlemen, we have over the years reaped the fruits of democracy.
We should remember that it is a hard earned democracy that we should preserve.
It is also a democracy that continues to mature. Bearing testimony to this is
the growing number of political parties contesting in the polls and the level
of voter registration in the elections. Democracy is an ongoing process and
people are starting to internalise multiparty.
It is therefore, incumbent upon us as trade union leaders present to
exercise leadership and to inculcate the necessary values needed for a peaceful
campaigning. Our Constitution does not provide for so called âno go areasâ.
Everyone has a right to vote for a party of his/her choice and a right to
campaign freely during election time.
Code of Conduct and Political Parties
The Electoral Code of Conduct makes provision for everyone to:
* Freely express their political beliefs and opinions;
* Challenge and debate the political beliefs and opinions of others;
* Publish and distribute election and campaign materials, including notices and
advertisements;
* Lawfully erect banners, billboards, placards and posters;
* Canvass support for a party or candidate;
* To recruit members of a party;
* To hold public meetings; and
* To travel to and attend public meetings.
As leaders of trade unions, you have a critical role to play in rebuilding
peace and reconciliation in communities even after the elections.
You have a role to encourage a dialogue between the newly appointed
councillors and your members who form part of the broader community. This will
serve to enhance the functioning of democratic processes in our country.
The emphasis here is on the responsibility of the political parties not to
violate, instigate hate speech or make threats to each other in the run up to
the elections and beyond.
Ladies and gentlemen, political parties in South Africa have a good
reputation for having observed the Code of Conduct since the advent of
democracy in 1994. This is why South Africa has such a good image globally. We
are a country that has parties that do not only observe the Code of Conduct but
also accept election results.
It is also a democracy that continues to mature. Bearing testimony to this
is the growing number of political parties contesting in the polls and the
level of voter registration in the elections.
Since the first democratic elections in 1994, we have seen a significant
growth in the number of political parties in South Africa.
For instance, a total of 97 parties are participating in the 2006 elections
compared to 79 in the 2000 municipal elections, showing a 19 percentage growth.
This is a measure of the healthy state of multiparty and maturing multiparty
democracy.
2006 Elections Infrastructure
We have also seen an increase in the number of voting stations in these
elections.
While we had 17 000 voting stations in the 2004 general elections, we now
have 19 000 stations in place for the coming elections. This means the more the
voting stations we have, the less time spent on queues and more accessibility,
particularly in rural areas. By adding more stations, the IEC paid particular
attention to improving the smooth running of elections.
I am happy to inform you that over 21 million have now registered to vote in
the coming local government elections. This is indeed encouraging, taking into
account that democracy is a new concept in South Africa.
In these municipal elections alone, 45 189 candidates countrywide will
contest the elections.
This represents 50% increase in candidates participating compared to year
2000 elections. We have a total of 283 municipalities countrywide, 3895 wards
nationally.
Observers
Ladies and gentlemen, these elections have attracted no less than 3 600
observers representing 31 accredited organisations. There are 15 observers from
the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region.
Conclusion
Finally, I wish to urge you to work with us in encouraging our people to go
to the polls on March 1. For, it is only through your vote that you can have a
meaningful say in the running of your wards, municipalities and districts.
I thank you.
Issued by: Independent Electoral Commission
21 February 2006
