By Mzukona Mantshontsho,
In a unanimous judgment read by Justice Nonkosi Mhlantla, the Constitutional Court on Monday 4 December dismissed the challenge, saying the applicant was not able to prove the 200/200 split of seats was irrational.
The court disagreed with the argument that a vote for an independent candidate will carry less weight than one for a political party. “The applicant has not established that the impugned legislation is irrational nor that it infringes a provision in the Bill of Rights. Therefore, it has not made out a case to justify the declaration of constitutional invalidity.”
Independent candidates now need 1000 signatures.
Our reaction to new leadership is based on the reputation of the existing leadership, combined with expectations and hopes of improvement from the new one.
Either way, the introduction of new leadership brings with it a weird mixture of uncertainty, combined with hope and excitement.
If we do not like our leaders we must banish them,
If we do not like our government, we must fight to change it,
If we do not like the way things are going, we must speak out and stop it.
Building a great South Africa is the job of each one of us.
We can never entrust that to just the people seated in the burnt comfortable seats of parliament – but we can direct them.
I urge you to register, if you haven’t already. In order to vote in next year’s elections, you must be a registered voter.
The new online voter registration service makes it very simple to register – no queues, no hassle – anywhere, you can do it all online here: https://registertovote.elections.org.za/Welcome
If you’re not sure whether or where you are registered, you can check your status here:
https://www.elections.org.za/pw/Voter/Voter-Information
The upcoming elections are a pivotal moment in South Africa’s history and every vote counts. Your vote impacts the fate of 60 million people! Make sure you register today!
