MAY 29 2024 has been declared as National and Provincial elections.
This was proclaimed by President Cyril Matamela Ramaphosa on Tuesday, ending speculations.
Pres Ramaphosa had met the nine provincial premiers and the IEC to discuss the state of readiness for the elections, which coincided with 30 years of freedom and democracy.
“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,” the President said in the statement.
“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”, he said.
Various political parties indicated they’re ready to go full steam on a campaign trail to mobilise their supporters.
This years’ elections would be hardest and challenging in that the ruling party ANC is treading on a thin line, due to apathy and disgruntled community members who are dissatisfied with services such as loadshedding, poor road infrastructure, water shortage, amongst others.
Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen welcomed the setting of the date.
The DA hopes to unseat the ANC via the Multi Party Charter for South Africa – a coalition of opposition parties – and to retain the Western Cape, which it governs.
Steenhuisen said the election was a “turning point for South Africa” and came at a time when “our nation needs it the most in three decades”.
Steenhuisen said the DA was “fully prepared for the challenge ahead,” and was “all-systems-go for the May 29 date”.
He said the DA had prepared “meticulously” for the elections and was “poised to build upon months of hard work across every town and city in South Africa”.
The May 29 will be on Wednesday, a cold season in mzansi.
Its your democratic right to cross that X.
