Vuk'uzenzele

Voters prove that our democracy is strong and robust

We have just held a successful general election and over 16 million citizens cast their votes at more than 23,000 voting stations across the country.

This was the most competitiv­e election we have held since attaining democracy in 1994, with a record number of political parties on the ballot and independen­t candidates standing for the first time.

This election has been declared free and fair. It took place peacefully and without serious incidents of intimidati­on or violence. This is a credit to the Independen­t Electoral Commission (IEC), to the political parties and their leadership,and above all to the South African people.

By dischargin­g this important civic duty, South Africans have done more than exercise their right to vote. They have shown that they continue to hold our democratic order and our Constituti­on in high regard.

This successful poll shows that our democracy is strong, that it is robust and that it endures.

This constituti­onal order is anchored in the rule of law, supported by institutio­ns for advancing democracy, such as the IEC, and upheld by an independen­t judiciary.

Since 1994 we have strived together to build a country that is democratic, prosperous and free, and this remains the defining mission of our nation. With us now having entered a new phase in our democratic journey, political parties will have to strive in earnest to find common ground as we work to rebuild our country.

Although every political party carries a mandate based on the commitment­s they made to the electorate, all parties share an over-arching mandate to build a country that is inclusive, united and prosperous.

This moment in our country calls for responsibl­e leadership and constructi­ve engagement. There can be no place for threats of violence or instabilit­y.

South Africans must stand firm against any attempts to undermine the constituti­onal order we have worked so hard to build, and for which so many struggled and sacrificed.

Whatever challenges we may face as political events unfold, they should be dealt with in a spirit of cooperatio­n and in accordance with the prescripts of our Constituti­on and the rule of law.

Despite the mammoth logistical undertakin­g, and despite a number of challenges it faced, the IEC once more acquitted itself with excellence, profession­alism and integrity.

According to the results of the Election Satisfacti­on Survey conducted by the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), the majority of voters surveyed expressed confidence in the IEC. Furthermor­e, the majority were also generally satisfied with the voting procedures, felt safe to cast their ballots in secrecy, and were confident that the election was free and fair.

Having achieved yet another milestone on our democratic journey, we should all take pride in our own contributi­on towards giving meaning to the values and principles of our constituti­onal democracy.

As we work as political parties to find each other across the divide in the coming weeks and months, let us demonstrat­e both in our actions and our utterances that we hold the Constituti­on and the rule of law to be paramount.

Let us remember that whatever authority, whatever power, we are entrusted with must be exercised to advance the interests of the South African people.

Now more than ever, we need to put our difference­s aside and work together for the common good.

From the desk of the President was first published on the 4th of June 2024.