Date: 07/04/2004
Source: Electoral Commission
Title: B Bam: Launch of 2004 Elections Results Operations Centre, Pretoria
OPENING ADDRESS BY IEC CHAIRPERSON, DR BRIAGALIA BAM, AT THE OCCASIONS TO LAUNCH THE RESULTS OPERATIONS CENTRE, 7 April 2004
Honourable Ministers
Commissioners
Captains of Industry
Representatives of observer missions
Members of the diplomatic corps
Members of the media
All protocols observed
An occasion like this reminds us how far we have come with our electoral democracy since 1994.
Emerging from the past, polarised by decades of statutory discrimination that left scars on majority of South Africans, disenfranchised at the time. We have come from the past that suppressed freedoms of speech and association - amongst others. We have come from the past of unequal development.
But, as millions of our people - from rural to urban areas prepare to cast their votes on 14th of April, we have now reached a stage in our democracy to proclaim here and to the world that our electoral democracy has come of age. This year marks the country's third democratic elections presided over by the Independent Electoral Commission. It was 1994 that marked a significant and progressive turning point in our history. It was in 1994 - for the first time in decades that the world witnessed the advent of true democracy in this country, ushering in a government embraced by the majority.
The incredible changes brought about by maturity of our electoral democracy within this ten year period is something unprecedented, not only in Africa but throughout the world. The gains of our democracy have made us not to turn back the clock, but to look forward. Today we speak proudly of our Independent Electoral Commission, judiciary, Parliament and other organs protecting the rights of groups and individuals. We have a Constitution, which enshrines the Bill of Rights. I mention all this because there were those critics who had earlier doubted whether Africa could be trusted with democracy.
Ladies and gentlemen, as we celebrate the third general election and our tenth anniversary as a democratic country, can we ask for more vote of confidence? As an institution with integrity, the IEC is happy to say that within the past ten years, we have succeeded in mobilising South Africans to come to polls. Ten years ago we were at war. Today we are reaping the benefits of peace and justice. This has not all come easily as some of us could not live to see the Promised Land. The challenge for us as South Africans is to protect those gains of democracy they so much fought for, by going to polls.
South Africa continues to grow as a multi-party democracy. There has been an increase in the number of political parties that have registered for these elections. They have all signed a code of conduct with the IEC to operate transparently and with deep understanding in diversity as they campaign for votes.
Ladies and gentlemen I welcome you to this ROC where media, diplomats and political party representatives will have access to the latest information and developments on polls. You will all remember that 1999 ROC was something spectacular and the first of its kind. Once again this year, we strive to be a centre of excellence. This has all come about because of team work and transparency. We are committed to transparency mindful of the fact that most conflicts arise due to some political parties not accepting the results. This has not been the case in the past two elections and will not be the case in the 2004 elections.
The number of African election observers and foreign media representatives, here to witness yet another historic occasion speaks volumes about South Africa's role in the world stage. Many countries are looking up to us as a model for democracy. We have come of age.
I thank you.
Enquiries:
Brian Sokutu
Cell: 083 777 8083
Issued by: Electoral Commission
7 April 2004
Source: Electoral Commission
Title: B Bam: Launch of 2004 Elections Results Operations Centre, Pretoria
OPENING ADDRESS BY IEC CHAIRPERSON, DR BRIAGALIA BAM, AT THE OCCASIONS TO LAUNCH THE RESULTS OPERATIONS CENTRE, 7 April 2004
Honourable Ministers
Commissioners
Captains of Industry
Representatives of observer missions
Members of the diplomatic corps
Members of the media
All protocols observed
An occasion like this reminds us how far we have come with our electoral democracy since 1994.
Emerging from the past, polarised by decades of statutory discrimination that left scars on majority of South Africans, disenfranchised at the time. We have come from the past that suppressed freedoms of speech and association - amongst others. We have come from the past of unequal development.
But, as millions of our people - from rural to urban areas prepare to cast their votes on 14th of April, we have now reached a stage in our democracy to proclaim here and to the world that our electoral democracy has come of age. This year marks the country's third democratic elections presided over by the Independent Electoral Commission. It was 1994 that marked a significant and progressive turning point in our history. It was in 1994 - for the first time in decades that the world witnessed the advent of true democracy in this country, ushering in a government embraced by the majority.
The incredible changes brought about by maturity of our electoral democracy within this ten year period is something unprecedented, not only in Africa but throughout the world. The gains of our democracy have made us not to turn back the clock, but to look forward. Today we speak proudly of our Independent Electoral Commission, judiciary, Parliament and other organs protecting the rights of groups and individuals. We have a Constitution, which enshrines the Bill of Rights. I mention all this because there were those critics who had earlier doubted whether Africa could be trusted with democracy.
Ladies and gentlemen, as we celebrate the third general election and our tenth anniversary as a democratic country, can we ask for more vote of confidence? As an institution with integrity, the IEC is happy to say that within the past ten years, we have succeeded in mobilising South Africans to come to polls. Ten years ago we were at war. Today we are reaping the benefits of peace and justice. This has not all come easily as some of us could not live to see the Promised Land. The challenge for us as South Africans is to protect those gains of democracy they so much fought for, by going to polls.
South Africa continues to grow as a multi-party democracy. There has been an increase in the number of political parties that have registered for these elections. They have all signed a code of conduct with the IEC to operate transparently and with deep understanding in diversity as they campaign for votes.
Ladies and gentlemen I welcome you to this ROC where media, diplomats and political party representatives will have access to the latest information and developments on polls. You will all remember that 1999 ROC was something spectacular and the first of its kind. Once again this year, we strive to be a centre of excellence. This has all come about because of team work and transparency. We are committed to transparency mindful of the fact that most conflicts arise due to some political parties not accepting the results. This has not been the case in the past two elections and will not be the case in the 2004 elections.
The number of African election observers and foreign media representatives, here to witness yet another historic occasion speaks volumes about South Africa's role in the world stage. Many countries are looking up to us as a model for democracy. We have come of age.
I thank you.
Enquiries:
Brian Sokutu
Cell: 083 777 8083
Issued by: Electoral Commission
7 April 2004
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