Presidential elections
of April 14
Instead of orange or yellow leaves, an abundance of colorful
campaign posters have livened up the city streets. On April 14,
South Africa held its third democratic election. You might have
heard about it in the news. How do non-voting foreigners share
in the excitement of election day? We visited voting stations
and photographed the placards you see to the right of this text..
The bright sunny weather on this public holiday contributed to
a voter turnout of 77 percent of those registered. Compare that
to the United States! In a democracy that is only ten years young,
most citizens value the privilege and responsibility to make their
voices heard.
The Independent Electoral Commission has certified the elections
as free and fair. The African National Congress (ANC) captured
nearly 70 percent of the vote, or 279 out of 400 seats in the
National Parliament. This represents a substantial increase over
the previous elections in 1994 and 1999. Nine very diverse opposition
parties share in the remaining 121 seats. The ANC members of Parliament
will re-elect their leader Thabo Mbeki as president to be inaugurated
for a second five-year term on April 27.
In one of his early responses to the landslide victory President
Mbeki cautioned his party against becoming arrogant or complacent.
Much has been accomplished in the 10 years since 1994, but many
urgent needs remain to be addressed. Half of the country’s
population continues to live in abject poverty; many families
cannot afford the fees for elementary education for their children;
most victims of the AIDS pandemic go untreated; the campaign slogan
“Create Work—Vote ANC” ignores the complexities
of the forces behind the vast unemployment figures.
One way to interpret the election results is to view them as
a sign of continued confidence in the government’s ability
to work toward a better life for all. Most voters seem to remain
patient and hopeful that the road traveled over the last decade
will lead to genuine improvements in the future.
Another perspective comes from the Landless People’s Movement
(LPM): “While the ANC celebrates its electoral victory and
the evident ‘triumph of democracy,’ and while the
media and corporate capital trip over themselves in their now
predictable cheerleading roles, millions of poor and landless
continue to be denied real democracy.”
As for us, we are glad to be here with sisters and brothers whose
experiences of oppression and liberation open our eyes to the
depths of human suffering as well as to the promises of abundant
life. Both Good Friday and Easter morning take on new meaning
in this context.
Ken and Susanne |
