Spoiling ballots purposefully putrefies dreams of the working class
The National Union of Mineworkers has observed the recent developments on the public posture taken by former Minister of intelligence Ronnie Kasrils and former Deputy Minister of Health Nozizwe Madlala Routledge calling for ballot spoiling on the 7th May 2014, an anti ANC vote effectively.
NUM is of the view that the former Ministers should have pursued measures of direct engagement with the ANC on matters that they believe need address or attention from their perspectives .But launching a campaign against their own organisation which they served for many years both in government, ANC, MK, and SACP respectively can only add to the betrayal of the struggle for a better life for all than help change the ANC as they aspire.
Mobilising citizens to spoil their votes is a clear call on the electorate not to vote the ANC which is regrettable and potentially threatens the gains already made by the ANC when both comrades where in government and in the leadership of the ANC and alliance structures.
It seems this is a mobilisation premised on anger and Plato says "There are two things a person should never be angry at, what they can help and what they cannot". It is our believe that Mr Ronnie Kasrils and Mrs Nozizwe Madlala Routledge have not sufficiently explored possibilities of helping where they see wrong by engaging their peers in the ANC and their anger is unfortunate .
Launching a campaign of no vote to express their disapproval on certain things relating to the ruling party or what is happening in South Africa easily translates into an attack on the whole ANC and is inconsistent with their view that they want the ANC to change its ways .Their call makes more harm than good .
As the NUM we call on all South Africans to come out in numbers to exercise their right to vote. We call on the workers and the working class to vote the ANC overwhelmingly. "The ANC is not a perfect organisation but currently there is no better alternative to it .The rights of workers and their freedoms are safer under an ANC led government than at any other time in our history" says Frans Baleni NUM General Secretary.
It is the responsibility of every citizen to hold government accountable .But it is also the obligation of all South Africans to celebrate our constitutional achievement by exercising their right to vote than spoil their ballots.
The ANC must continue to intensify its battle on corruption at all sights and on all fronts without exception and as the workers we are ready to assist and support the ANC to this effect .In as much as we intensify our efforts towards securing an ANC victory come May 7, 2014.
Statement issued by Frans Baleni, NUM General Secretary, April 15 2014
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