A call on South Africans to Vote on the 7th May

We are calling on all South Africans to use their hard-won Constitutional right to vote ANC on the 7th of May 2014.

We are disturbed by the populist, irresponsible call by self-professed veterans of the liberation struggle led by Ronnie Kasrils and others. They demonstrate clear signs of being bitter and disgruntled and suffering from permanent anger for losing their leadership positions through democratic processes and structures of the ANC.

A call for a no vote by Kasrils and crew is a vote of no confidence on democracy and a call of no confidence on law and order. This call is in fact against the establishment of a government, and as such a call for anarchy.

This love for television and popstarism should be condemned as it is intended to roll back all the gains achieved since 1994 under a democratic government led by the ANC as elected in a free and fair election by the overwhelming majority of the voters in South Africa. This is a call to destroy and collapse our country.

At a time when we need role models and guidance for our youth from elderly people like Kasrils and crew, we are advised to go the route of acrimony.

It was good for people to vote when Kasrils was in the list of the ANC with some possibility to become a minister in government, but it is wrong now as he is not in the list of the ANC. Is this not "sour grapes", and a self-serving mentality at its best? Life is as good as to the extent that Kasrils and crew are happy. He and crew are the barometer to determine what is right and wrong, bad and good and all of us, their subjects must follow like water in a stream.

Ronnie Kasrils and crew know the constitution and processes to be followed to raise issues as members of the ANC. Why are they not following the established protocols of the movement, instead of grandstanding in the media?

What is concerning, is the timing of raising their grievances. It is clear their strategy is to campaign against the ANC in the forthcoming general elections.

Our nation needs veterans who will value democracy and the importance of a vote to set up a government. This is the kind of education we need as a nation and for our youth in particular. Many people were tortured, imprisoned and died to secure this precious right to vote and it can't be destroyed on the altar of self interest.

We, as a union support the right of all citizens to vote to establish a government of their choice, for stability, peace and democracy as opposed to anarchy as championed by Kasrils and crew.

The South African Democratic Teachers Union reaffirmed her position at our last National General Council to support the African National Congress, the oldest liberation movement with a good track record of improving the lives of the people since 1994.

The ANC is correct: "We have a good story to tell". We don't need Kasrils. We will tell our own story, and together move South Africa forward.

We are hard at work, on a high tempo to reach every voter and convince them to vote for the African National Congress.

Statement issued by SADTU General Secretary, Mugwena Maluleke, April 16 2014

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