Pretoria - North West Premier Thandi Modise has called on communities not to heed calls for them to stay away from the polls on May 7.
Premier Modise made the appeal at the Methodist Church Easter Service held in Kanana outside Orkney on Sunday, where she handed over 13 wheelchairs and food parcels to people with disabilities.
“… We must exercise our right to choose by voting. We must exercise tolerance and respect one another … regardless of our culture, ethnicity, race or even gender…” she emphasised to the church that was filled to capacity.
South Africa will hold its fifth democratic national and provincial election on May 7.
Monnapule Mothubu, one of the wheelchair recipients, said: “I’m extremely happy to receive this wheelchair. I used to sit on my bed from sunrise to sunset, with very little movement. I’m glad that now I will be able to move around with ease.”
In expressing appreciation on behalf of his congregation, Rev Claupus Molokoane said that the Methodist Church continues to assist the less fortunate and is grateful for the support that it is receiving from government.
In her second address delivered at the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Provincial Easter Conference, also held in Kanana, Premier Modise urged the church to pray for a better world and peaceful elections.
Premier Modise was accompanied by the MEC for Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism, Motlalepula Rosho; Provincial Chairperson of Disabled People South Africa and Member of the Provincial Legislature, Pastor Aucharle Mothupi and Provincial Head of Department for Social Development, Advocate Tshidi Mogale. – SAnews.gov.za
