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Date : 26/09/2003
Source: Department of Home Affairs
Title: Buthelezi: Debate on Electoral Laws Amendment Bill, NA


ADDRESS BY MANGOSUTHU BUTHELEZI, MP, MINISTER OF HOME AFFAIRS AND PRESIDENT OF THE INKATHA FREEDOM PARTY, DURING THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY DEBATE ON THE ELECTORAL LAWS AMENDMENT BILL, Cape Town, 26 September 2003

Madam Speaker:

I wish to thank all those who have participated in this Debate. I have noted all the contributions made and I am mindful that one hopes that the Debate on the Electoral Law will not stop here. Much of what has been said, both from a point of view of support, as well from a point of view of criticism, may be taken into account as we continue policy formulation in respect of the Electoral Law. I trust that the next Parliament of South Africa, elected at the next elections next year, will take a better and wider consideration to the relationship between the people of South Africa and their political representatives. As Cabinet indicated, the draft Bill prepared by the Electoral Task Team will be submitted to the next Parliament of South Africa. That will give the opportunity for many of the contributions made during this important Debate, to be taken on board.

Instead of dealing with the specific aspects which have been raised during this Debate, which can be addressed during future Debates we are going to have, I think it is important that we focus on the next elections and we express in this House the shared commitment to ensuring the next elections are, indeed, going to be free and fair. For elections to be free and fair, one needs to have something more than just lack of incidents, or the absence of intimidation. In my opinion, it is essential that the people of South Africa gain a clear understanding of what elections are, indeed, all about and a democratic dispensation. In 1994 we provided extensive election training to teach people how to vote. In 1999 we provided no relevant training. In 2004 we must make a shared commitment for all the Members of this House to assist the majority of the South African people to understand why they vote. It is essential that the South African people understand that voting is the moment in which they hold their Government accountable and they have the opportunity, once in a five-year period, to make their voice heard.

They must realise that voting is a critical activity, which must focus their assessment on the issues affecting our country. Voting should not be regarded as an act of allegiance to those who are in power, and people should not feel that they are summonsed to this House to pay homage to us by voting for us. Voting is the time when the people of South Africa are sovereign and they may hire and fire each of us and decide who is to rule South Africa. Until each and every voter feels that he or she has in his hands the power to hire and fire anyone in this House, even the President, our democracy will not have achieved its final goal and our people will not be free. We have passed laws in this House. However, democracy is not just in the laws, but it is in the practices of Government and in the hearts and minds of people.

I wish to conclude with a plea to all Members of this House that through our activities we can supplement the insufficient voter education in respect of why people should be voting. Only by making people understand that they have the power to hire and fire whoever they wish, will each of us become really bound to embrace the culture of service and act for what we all ought to be, which is nothing more than servant to the South African people, who are our only masters.

I thank you.

Source: Department of Home Affairs (http://home-affairs.pwv.gov.za)

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