Pretoria – President Jacob Zuma has urged all citizens to go out and vote today, if they want the country to develop.
“If you want this country to develop, use your vote as an instrument to move it forward,” he said, speaking shortly after casting his vote at Ntolwane Primary School in KwaNxamalala, in his home town, Nkandla.
He urged people not to stay at home, but to go out in their numbers, to cast their ballot in the 2016 Municipal Elections.
“Don’t just stay at home. Your vote is important; vote for any party that you love,” a relaxed looking President Zuma said.
The President said he was happy to find, since the polls opened this morning, enthusiastic people around the country who are determined to vote, despite the cold weather in some regions.
He said it was going well at the primary school - the voting station where he usually votes, and it was good to stand in the queue with the locals, chatting to people that he knew.
Regarding the run up to today’s elections, he said he was happy that political parties behaved well and that there were no major issues.
This was an indication that South Africa is one of the countries in Africa that is leading in democracy.
He added that testament to the country being a leading democracy also, was that ordinary people at the voting booths mostly know how to vote; processes at voting stations are simple and IEC officials are on hand to explain the process if necessary.
“I am pleased our country is a demonstration of how democracy should work,” the President said.
Turning to the ward councillors that will be elected into office after today’s elections, he said it was imperative that they understood the conditions people live in and how to bring about change in their lives.
“They must understand their area and make the kind of decisions that are informed by priorities,” President Zuma said. – SAnews.gov.za
