Issued by Office of the Premier
10 November 2000
The Provincial Electoral officer
Representatives of political parties
Distinguished guests
Ladies and gentlemen
It is an honour for me to address you on the eve of what will be another milestone in the country's transformation process. The local election on 5 December 2000 is an important step in the consolidation of our young democracy at a local level.
A key element of this consolidation is to restructure local government to ensure an equitable distribution of resources, especially to the formerly disadvantaged sectors of our society. Local government is at the heart of where government services need to make biggest impact. This election is therefore not only about voting for councillors who will represent our interests.
It is about ensuring that service delivery occurs as efficiently and effectively as possible - and it reaches the people who need it most. Chairperson, this forthcoming election will entrench government's commitment to create a better life for all through the establishment of councils that will fast track service delivery, especially to the poor, women and children.
Further evidence of government's commitment to good governance will be manifested after the election with the promulgation of the Municipal Systems Bill. The purpose of the bill is to encourage the development of values that lie at the core of our democracy, such as accountability, transparency, efficiency, as well as consultation with elected representatives at the local level.
The election is therefore a crucial democratic tool that will equip every citizen with direct access to the councillors they have elected into power and enable them! to impact on decisions that affect them. I welcome the initiative you have taken to sign a pledge affirms your commitment as political parties to free and fair elections, to campaign in an open and democratic manner and to have equal access to the electorate in all areas of the province without any fear of intimidation.
The role of the IEC is to ensure that the forthcoming municipal elections are free and fair. As government we will do everything within our means to give it the necessary support to perform its functions. As political parties you have the responsibility to ensure that your members conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the constitution.
Chairperson, I want to commend all parties for the manner in which they have conducted themselves thus far. I sincerely hope there will be no incidences of violence and intimidation that will mar this important process.
I hope that all parties that have signed this pledge will abide by it throughout the election period and not regard it as just be a worthless piece of paper.
On behalf of the Gauteng Provincial I also want to commend the IEC for the manner in which it has administered the electoral process so far which will ensure that the election is fair, transparent and accessible to each and every eligible person in this province. I thank you
Issued by Thabo Masebe
Office of the Premier
Gauteng Provincial Government