President Cyril Ramaphosa has officially designated 29 May 2024 as the date for the 2024 General and Provincial Elections under Section 49(2) of the South African Constitution and with Section 17 of the Electoral Act of 1998.
The President has also, in line with section 17(2) of the Electoral Act 73 of 1998, consulted with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) on the election date.
Furthermore, Ramaphosa convened a meeting with all 9 Provincial Premiers and the IEC to discuss the state of readiness for the General elections.
With the date of the elections officially set, President Ramaphosa said, “Beyond the fulfilment of our constitutional obligation, these upcoming elections are also a celebration of our democratic journey and a determination of the future that we all desire. I call on all South Africans to exercise their democratic right to vote and for those who will be campaigning to do so peacefully, within the full observance of the law. We also urge unregistered voters to use the online registration platform to register.”
As the election date approaches various parties have issued statements on the subject.
ActionSA’s National Chairperson Michael Beaumont said, “ActionSA notes the announcement by President Ramaphosa of 29 May 2024 as the election date and invites him and the Premiers to begin packing their offices and updating their CVs.”
He highlighted that over the past two years, ActionSA has built structures across all nine provinces of the country with branches now in over 45% of the wards of the country, under the leadership of credible provincial leadership.
“By-elections have been contested in various provinces which have revealed ActionSA’s continued growth in Gauteng, our vote winning potential into double digits in provinces outside of urban centres and the fact that ActionSA is uniting South Africans from all communities and backgrounds,” said Beaumont.
Beaumont further noted that ActionSA has resolved to run a positive campaign which will be a departure from a political establishment that has failed South Africans by focusing on one another more than the crisis that has developed under their time in Parliament.
“ActionSA’s campaign will strive to show all South Africans that We Can Fix South Africa, but that this work can only begin once the ANC is removed from office. ActionSA is the party that will achieve this. It is with purpose that ActionSA welcomes this announcement and declares ourselves ready to Fix South Africa,” concluded Beaumont.
Additionally, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) welcomed the announcement of the date. IFP National spokesperson, MP Mkhuleko Hlengwa explained, “The IFP views 29 May 2024 as a day of freedom for the country, to finally free itself from the clutches of an ANC government that has only delivered poverty, unemployment, underdevelopment, and widespread corruption.”
Stating the IFP’s readiness for the elections, Hlengwa said, “The IFP National Campaign Committee will now streamline all our plans and programmes of action to ensure the IFP’s electoral support. We also encourage every South African to register to vote online – once the President promulgates the Election Day officially, the voters roll will close. Let us together, embrace this date as a pivotal moment in symbolising an opportunity for the nation to liberate itself from the grips of a failed government once and for all.”
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) national spokesperson Sinawo Thambo said the EFF welcomed the long overdue announcement of the elections. ” These elections mark an opportunity for all South Africans to put an end to the misery we have suffered as a nation, under the incompetent, corrupt and misguided governance of the ruling party, the ANC, for 30 years. The 29th of May officially marks an opportunity for our nation to achieve true freedom, which is at the centre of the EFF,” said Thambo, who added that the EFF would like to remind people that under the current ruling party, people have only known poverty, landlessness, unemployment, economic despair, and darkness in the form of loadshedding.
Furthermore, Thambo also highlighted how crime has spiralled out of control under the current regime. With this in mind, Thambo stressed, ” Let us go out in our numbers on the 29th of May 2024, and vote for Economic Freedom in our lifetime!.”
Moreover, Democratic Alliance’s leader (DA) John Steenhuisen emphasised, “The DA welcomes this crucial announcement as a countdown to a historic moment where South Africa has the opportunity to rescue itself from 30 years of ANC failure, corruption, and state capture.”
Steenhuisen added this election is a turning point for South Africa, and it comes at a time when the nation needs it the most in three decades.
“The DA is fully prepared for the challenge ahead, and we are all-systems-go for the May 29 date. The DA is ready to fight this election, so South Africans can win.” The DA also stated that it has meticulously prepared for this historic election, with support levels currently at their highest ever. “Our army of election volunteers, activists, and supporters are poised to build upon months of hard work across every town and city in South Africa,” explained Steenhuisen.
He further noted that the DA manifesto, which has been launched and made public, was being received favourably across the country.
“It reflects the aspirations and hopes of the people, offering a clear alternative to the decades of ANC mismanagement. Our election goals are not just ambitious but achievable, and we intend to be at the core of a new government for South Africa. The DA is committed to bringing an end to 30 years of ANC failure, corruption, and state capture. The upcoming election is an opportunity for the people of South Africa to choose a path of progress, transparency, and accountability,” elaborated Steenhuisen further.
With political parties preparing to lock horns, we encourage all Newcastillians to register to vote and support the political party you feel will best serve your expectations and hopes.
As the countdown for the National and Provincial Elections now begins, what are your thoughts on the above-mentioned? Share your views in the comment section below.
