ARCHBISHOP Emeritus Desmond Tutu has called on South Africans to think before casting their ballots in the national and provincial elections, and not to behave like "voting cattle".
Addressing a media conference in Cape Town’s St George’s Cathedral on Wednesday evening, Archbishop Tutu gave his assessment of South Africa’s achievements and failings in the 20 years since its first democratic elections on April 27 1994.
His message was: "Dear fellow South Africans, we have a fantastic country. Let us treat our country like someone we really love. Let’s stop littering … and then think carefully where you put your X on May 7 … and as a religious leader, I would say: ‘Pray deeply and ask God to direct your decision because (on) where you put your X so much depends’."
He welcomed the "Vote No Campaign" led by former intelligence minister Ronnie Kasrils and other African National Congress (ANC) stalwarts, saying it forced South Africans to be aware of the value and consequences of their vote. "They are shaking people up: do you know you have a precious thing, the vote? And think … think about what you want to do with it," he said.
Archbishop Tutu said that just because people had sung certain struggle songs did not mean they should automatically vote for a particular party.
He said South Africa had a lot to celebrate. "The very fact of our going to celebrate 20 years is a heck of an achievement that itself is a very good reason for us to celebrate. When you look around the world you realise that it is nothing to take for granted, there are so many turbulent parts of the world."
Archbishop Tutu said South Africa had gone through a violent period in the run-up to the 1994 elections, but had confounded critics and survived.
"We have something to brag about. The prophets of doom were saying we were not going to make it — now we have made it."
He felt that in many ways South Africa was a better place to live as more people had access to healthcare, water, electricity and education.
However, Archbishop Tutu’s assessment of ANC governments after that of former president Nelson Mandela was less than praiseworthy. He would not say how he would vote in the elections.
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu addresses a media conference at Cape Town’s St George’s Cathedral on Wednesday, where he gave his assessment of SA’s achievements and failings in the 20 years since its first democratic elections. Picture: TREVOR SAMSON
ARCHBISHOP Emeritus Desmond Tutu has called on South Africans to think before casting their ballots in the national and provincial elections, and not to behave like "voting cattle".
Addressing a media conference in Cape Town’s St George’s Cathedral on Wednesday evening, Archbishop Tutu gave his assessment of South Africa’s achievements and failings in the 20 years since its first democratic elections on April 27 1994.
His message was: "Dear fellow South Africans, we have a fantastic country. Let us treat our country like someone we really love. Let’s stop littering … and then think carefully where you put your X on May 7 … and as a religious leader, I would say: ‘Pray deeply and ask God to direct your decision because (on) where you put your X so much depends’."
He welcomed the "Vote No Campaign" led by former intelligence minister Ronnie Kasrils and other African National Congress (ANC) stalwarts, saying it forced South Africans to be aware of the value and consequences of their vote. "They are shaking people up: do you know you have a precious thing, the vote? And think … think about what you want to do with it," he said.
Archbishop Tutu said that just because people had sung certain struggle songs did not mean they should automatically vote for a particular party.
He said South Africa had a lot to celebrate. "The very fact of our going to celebrate 20 years is a heck of an achievement that itself is a very good reason for us to celebrate. When you look around the world you realise that it is nothing to take for granted, there are so many turbulent parts of the world."
Archbishop Tutu said South Africa had gone through a violent period in the run-up to the 1994 elections, but had confounded critics and survived.
"We have something to brag about. The prophets of doom were saying we were not going to make it — now we have made it."
He felt that in many ways South Africa was a better place to live as more people had access to healthcare, water, electricity and education.
However, Archbishop Tutu’s assessment of ANC governments after that of former president Nelson Mandela was less than praiseworthy. He would not say how he would vote in the elections.
News, views and analysis of South Africa's national and provincial elections on May 7 2014
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