The Elections Thread - 7 May 2014

[Sherbang]

Because they refused to participate in the committee?

What else have they done that's worthwhile, other than bleed MPs to the ANC?

Not only that no. I like Mosiuoa Lekota, I've always found him to be someone with integrity. I like his attitude.
I like that the party is not obsessed with selling a personality and creating a 'brand', like the ANC, DA and Agang do.
I like that they are a really racially mixed party. I think that their internal problems have been resolved and they can really focus now on the country. I like that they are willing to work with other parties instead of either opposing all other parties or attempting to absorb other parties like the DA does. I like their campaign slogan (which doesn't attack anyone else) and their poster, (probably the only one poster I've seen that hasn't got the face of some politician on it). I like their manifesto. I like that they are pro-farmers.

Really I've gone from wanting to spoil my vote to finding a party I want to vote for. This is good is it not?

Eish! A flip-flopper like Julius.

Eish. I reserve the right to change my mind. I suppose you're one of those who will stick with a party irrespective of what they say or do just so you won't be seen as a flip-flopper?

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Not only that no. I like Mosiuoa Lekota, I've always found him to be someone with integrity. I like his attitude.

If you want integrity look at Bantu Holomisa.

I like that the party is not obsessed with selling a personality and creating a 'brand', like the ANC, DA and Agang do.

If they had a better brand to sell they would.

I like that they are a really racially mixed party.

No more than the DA.

I think that their internal problems have been resolved and they can really focus now on the country.

I hope so. I don't mind Lekota in Parliament.

I like that they are willing to work with other parties instead of either opposing all other parties or attempting to absorb other parties like the DA does.

Would if they could.

I like their campaign slogan (which doesn't attack anyone else)

"Lekota for President"? What's so great about it? Rather unimaginative, I'd say.

And Lekota hasn't done much other than attack Zuma and the ANC his whole time in Parliament.

Do you think the DA's slogan attacks anyone? It's "Together For Change, Together For Jobs".

and their poster, (probably the only one poster I've seen that hasn't got the face of some politician on it).

Uh, yes it has.

I like their manifesto. I like that they are pro-farmers.

I think the only parties that are anti-farmer are the ANC and the EFF, and some smaller insignificant parties.

What about their manifesto do you like that is not also included in the DA's, as a measure of comparison?

Really I've gone from wanting to spoil my vote to finding a party I want to vote for. This is good is it not?

Yes, it is.

I've just noticed that many people (on here, at least) hold the DA to a standard that they don't hold other parties to and then use this as a reason to specifically not vote DA.

 

[Sherbang]

If you want integrity look at Bantu Holomisa.

Are you saying you don't think Lekota has integrity?

If they had a better brand to sell they would.

I don't think brands are important. Parties that focus too much on their 'brand' put style ahead of substance.
They talk pretty but not honestly.

Would if they could.

What do you mean? Of course they could.

"Lekota for President"? What's so great about it? Rather unimaginative, I'd say.

:erm: no. The whole thing I like is that it's not personality based. It's not about a particular individual.
Their slogan is "SOUTH AFRICA DESERVES A BETTER GOVERNMENT" It's true, it's simple, it doesn't glorify anyone and doesn't attack anyone. It's just a plain honest statement. It might be unimaginative but again, this only matters if you put style ahead of substance.

Do you think the DA's slogan attacks anyone? It's "Together For Change, Together For Jobs".

The DA has so many slogans I don't know.

Uh, yes it has.

Ok, I didn't search for posters, I've only seen the posters up here in Cape Town where I drive to work everyday and specifically noticed that none of the posters had anyone's face on them.
Couldn't find a picture online but they look like the posters on the floor in this picture

 

[noxibox]

Simple math people

65% ANC
30% everyone else
5% spoiled

Oh woops, spoiled votes get no seats, new ratio:
68.5% ANC
31.5% everyone else

In other words the ANC have lost 1.5% and everyone else has gained 1.5%. The campaign to get people to spoil their votes is aimed specifically at those who would otherwise vote ANC.

The DA may have Cape Town and the Western Cape, if I may be politically incorrect and say it, only because of the coloured people, they should still not take us for granted. We may have no ETolls yet, but add up those bills and you can virtually say we are being overcharged and overtaxed.

That's true, but they have to fund the general improvement of the area. If they do that and show good management, then they may be able to swing more votes elsewhere in South Africa. If they don't then they're going to have things getting worse in under-resourced areas and cement their reputation as a party for the white elite.

 

[shogun]

Ok, I didn't search for posters, I've only seen the posters up here in Cape Town where I drive to work everyday and specifically noticed that none of the posters had anyone's face on them.
Couldn't find a picture online but they look like the posters on the floor in this picture

There are plenty here in CT with his face on

 

[Sherbang]

There are plenty here in CT with his face on

Not on my route to work there aren't! But I'll take your word on it...

 

[OrbitalDawn]

Are you saying you don't think Lekota has integrity?

No, I'm saying Bantu Holomisa has more.

His selective amnesia about his own stint as Minister of Defense leaves me sceptical, though.

I don't think brands are important. Parties that focus too much on their 'brand' put style ahead of substance.
They talk pretty but not honestly.

What substance do they have?

What do you mean? Of course they could.

They absorbed the NRP. A fundamentalist Christian organisation that opposes gay marriage and abortion, and seemingly the Constitution, much like the ACDP.

A very useful read about it here:

Cope’s short journey to irrelevance.

:erm: no. The whole thing I like is that it's not personality based. It's not about a particular individual.

Of coure it is. Who do you know of in COPE apart from Lekota?

Their slogan is "SOUTH AFRICA DESERVES A BETTER GOVERNMENT" It's true, it's simple, it doesn't glorify anyone and doesn't attack anyone. It's just a plain honest statement. It might be unimaginative but again, this only matters if you put style ahead of substance.

That last bit is ironic. There's literally 0 substance in that statement. Of course we deserve a better government. What does that tell us about them? What do they offer? What is their substance that will give us this 'better government'? It's an inane and obvious statement, which tells us diddly squat.

And you're completely ignoring the actions of Lekota through the last couple of years if you think he "doesn't attack anyone". That's ALL he does, regarding the ANC. Have you ever heard him put forth actual proposals and workable solutions? I haven't.

The DA has so many slogans I don't know.

Nonsense. Perfect example of what I finished my previous post with.

Ok, I didn't search for posters, I've only seen the posters up here in Cape Town where I drive to work everyday and specifically noticed that none of the posters had anyone's face on them.
Couldn't find a picture online but they look like the posters on the floor in this picture
View attachment 114730

I haven't seen any of those since posters went up. They're all the ones with his face which I showed.

And you still have to tell me what you like about their manifesto, when compared to the DA.

 

[LazyLion]

AGANG SA MANIFESTO "ECONOMICALLY VIABLE"

Independent analysts have concluded that Agang SA's manifesto and turnaround plan for the country are economically viable, the party said on Friday.

The party said in a statement that analysts Ian Cruickshanks and Michelle Pingo de Abreu concluded that the aspects of the manifesto that could be costed would need R324,1 billion per year, or 30 percent more than the present budget.

However, this would be offset by efficiencies identified in the Agang SA's manifesto.

Cruickshanks said: "... Agang SA's approach is to use the existing budget differently and make different allocations to ensure its goals are met."

As such, he believed that the party's manifesto was achievable in terms of budget allocation.

Agang SA leader Mamphela Ramphele said her party believed that the country's wealth made imperatives such as free education possible.

"Among the efficiencies we will bring to government are cutting down on the number of government departments, particularly those that have brought no value to citizens."

Savings achieved through cutting bureaucracy could be better used serving the public, said Ramphele.

"We do not need to create more national income to do this, just the political will, imagination, and determination to put the country and its citizens first," she said.


Source : Sapa /mjs/jje/dm
Date : 25 Apr 2014 15:14

 

[LazyLion]

ZUMA GREETS SHOPPERS AT ERAND MALL

Shopping came to halt at Tsakane Mall in the East Rand on Friday when ANC President Jacob Zuma visited the area as part of his campaign for the May 7 elections.

He started his day in Duduza where het met mostly elderly people.

In Tsakane, shoppers gathered around the party's truck to listen to Zuma speak.

"I came here to remind you that we are celebrating 20 years of democracy on April 27 and that on May 7 we are voting," he said.

"Those who undermine the African National Congress should be scared."

As Zuma was finished speaking, the crowd asked him to sing "Mshini wami" (bring me my machine gun), and cheered and ululated as Zuma hit the notes of the song.

While addressing the media in Duduza, Zuma said Gauteng belonged to his party and no one could wrestle it from them.

He said he was pleased with how the elderly were pledging their support for the ANC.

"This was a confirmation that this is an organisation of the people," said Zuma.

He said the visit to the East Rand was special as struggle heroes Oliver Tambo and Chris Hani were buried there.

"When we are here, we get inspiration. When we are here in the East Rand, we are at the home of the ANC," he said.


Source : Sapa /kn/hdw/jje
Date : 25 Apr 2014 15:02

 

[LazyLion]

PUBLIC MONEY WASTED TOO OFTEN: DA

There is an increasing trend that public money is being spent improperly and wastefully by the department of public works under the guise of "security upgrades", the DA said on Friday.

"The department must not take the people for granted. We know... that building a R20 million fence, when one already exists, is ridiculous," Democratic Alliance MP Anchen Dreyer said in a statement.

"I trust that the Public Protector will probe this most recent example of state abuse of public funds."

Dreyer said the party would write to Thuli Madonsela's office to investigate the erection of a wall to protect an existing wall, costing taxpayers millions, at the ministerial residential estate Bryntirion in Pretoria.

This followed a report in the Mail&Guardian on Friday.

Dreyer said the building of an additional wall as part of security upgrades would cost around R20 million.

"This comes seven years after the construction of the controversial R90 million 'anti-climb, motion-detection security fences' around the complex, which includes President Jacob Zuma's official residence in Pretoria," she said.

"It must be asked why another expensive 'security wall' is needed to protect an already controversial state-of-the-art structure."

Bryntirion Estate incorporates "Mahlamba Ndlopfu" -- the residence of the president of the country, the vice president's home, the presidential guest house and the homes of many Cabinet ministers.

Dreyer said public money should be spent on projects that would improve service delivery, grow the economy, and create jobs.

The department of public works had not responded to a Sapa query by 2pm on Friday. He said it was unclear when the department would respond.

On March 19, Madonsela released her report on costly security upgrades at Zuma's private home in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, saying Zuma should have asked questions about the scale, costs, and affordability of security upgrades which could end up being as much as R240 million.

Her findings included that Zuma unduly benefited from the upgrades and that he should pay back a portion of the money.

An ad hoc committee has been set up to consider submissions made by Zuma in response to Madonsela's report.


Source : Sapa /dm/jje/fg
Date : 25 Apr 2014 14:52

 

[LazyLion]

WE ARE GOING FORWARD WITH ANC: RESIDENT

President Jacob Zuma chatted to residents in Duduza while, on the sidelines of his campaign trail, his bodyguards deleted photographs a reporter took of themselves handing out free ANC T-shirts.

"We will only abandon you when we are dead," 73-year-old Sarah Kanze told Zuma, who is president of the governing ANC.

"That makes me happy," Zuma responded.

He was in the township campaigning ahead of the May 7 elections and handing out T-shirts.

He told residents the party was visiting "its people" to encourage them to vote.

"We are visiting our people and reminding them to go and vote. On the day you must tell your friends and neighbours to go vote," he said.

Meanwhile, an eNCA reporter was forced to delete pictures on his cellphone that he took of one of Zuma's escort drivers handing out ANC shirts.

The phone was taken out his hands when he refused. The guard, who was photographed by other journalists, then deleted his pictures.

Another bodyguard asked that the picture be deleted, failure of which would result "in us giving you hell".

"We are already under pressure, please don't do that to us," said the unnamed guard.


Source : Sapa /kn/jje/lp
Date : 25 Apr 2014 12:29

 

[Wyzak]

Meanwhile, an eNCA reporter was forced to delete pictures on his cellphone that he took of one of Zuma's escort drivers handing out ANC shirts.

The phone was taken out his hands when he refused. The guard, who was photographed by other journalists, then deleted his pictures.

Another bodyguard asked that the picture be deleted, failure of which would result "in us giving you hell".

"We are already under pressure, please don't do that to us," said the unnamed guard.

Yep, definitely a free country we live in.

 

[LazyLion]

EFF LAYS COMPLAINT AGAINST ZILLE, ZUMA

The EFF in the Western Cape laid a complaint with the Equality Court against DA leader and Western Cape premier Helen Zille, and President Jacob Zuma on Friday.

Economic Freedom Fighters provincial spokeswoman Yerushka Chetty said the party believed the leaders were to blame for gross human rights violations and racism against black people.

"The post-1994 Western Cape government has served the corporate elite class and failed to serve in the interests of the black majority," she said in a statement.

"This goes against the commitment to the fundamental rights and freedoms as contained in the Constitution and equality legislation such as the right to life, equality and dignity."

DA Western Cape leader Ivan Meyer dismissed the EFF's complaint as "the silliest election gimmick of the election campaign thus far."

The presidency said it noted the statement.

Chetty said in 2004, heads of member states of the African Union (AU) reaffirmed their commitment to gender equality, and agreed to a number of measures to secure women's rights including in the spheres of health, housing, education and land ownership.

The EFF believed these agreements were honoured for South African white women, but not their black counterparts.

"The Head of State of South Africa Jacob Zuma and Helen Zille as leader of the DA, are bound by the terms of the... agreement as well as the terms of every regional, continental and international instrument on human and women's rights that South Africa is a signatory to.

"...Both Jacob Zuma and Helen Zille are accordingly criminally responsible for the status of black women..."

The EFF asked that Zuma and Zille be found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment.

"Furthermore we ask that both accused persons pay reparations for the harm suffered by the victims of the said human rights violations and to this end that all the assets and property of both accused be attached and sold in execution."

Meyer described the EFF's complaint as "laughable" and that the DA did not take it seriously.

"We are working hard to make life better for everyone in the places where we govern.

"In the Western Cape, where we govern, unemployment is lowest, access to water, sanitation and electricity is best."

According to the department of justice website, once a complaint is lodged with the Equality Court, the clerk of the court has seven days to notify the subjects of the complaint, and they have 10 days to reply.

The court's presiding officer then has seven days to decide whether the matter would be heard by the Equality Court or refer it to another forum, such as the SA Human Rights Commission.


Source : Sapa /mjs/hdw/jje
Date : 25 Apr 2014 15:33

 

[Wyzak]

http://www.news24.com/Elections/News/Ngonyama-quits-Cope-20140425

Johannesburg - Cope MP Smuts Ngonyama announced his resignation from the party on Friday, citing a "negative political environment" in the party.

Following the 2009 election where the Congress of the People won over 1.3 million votes, Ngonyama said the party's vision was "counterpunched and undermined from within", in his resignation letter released to the media.

"In light of this, many credible members who participated in the founding of Cope started serious introspection about how best they could serve the South African society," he said.

"Despite the efforts of many members in trying to keep to the initial course of political direction, the negative political environment persisted."

The situation was untenable, leaving Ngonyama no other option but to end his association with Cope.

Ngonyama, who left the African National Congress in 2008 before he joined Cope, said it was with regret that he was leaving the party.

"From the time Cope was established, it became a pleasure to work with most of the colleagues at national committee level, in Parliament and especially with the general membership at large," he said.

"This environment was enhanced by the fact that whilst in office we may have had our differences, but we were bound together by the important common objectives of serving the people of South Africa."

He thanked all those he worked with for the shared experience and the support he had received in his work.
- SAPA

Boom, boom, pow!

 

[LazyLion]

ZUMA APPOINTS ELECTORAL COURT CHAIR

Judge Jeremiah Buti Zwelibanzi Shongwe has been appointed chairman of the Electoral Court, the presidency said on Friday.

"President Jacob Zuma has, in terms of section 19(1)(a) read with section 19(2) of the Electoral Commission Act, 1996, appointed the Honourable Mr Justice Jeremiah Buti Zwelibanzi Shongwe as Chairperson of the Electoral Court," spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

"The appointment is for a period of five years, with effect from May 1 2014.

Zuma said: "We wish Justice Shongwe all of the best in the execution of this important judicial task."

Shongwe is a Supreme Court of Appeal judge at the moment.


Source : Sapa /aw/hdw/lp
Date : 25 Apr 2014 15:46

 

[LazyLion]

http://www.news24.com/Elections/News/Ngonyama-quits-Cope-20140425

Boom, boom, pow!

So where's he going now?

 

[LazyLion]

ANC SELF-SERVING: SHIVAMBU

Economic Freedom Fighters political commissar Floyd Shivambu accused the ANC on Friday of serving the interests of individuals.

Shivambu, speaking at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, said: "The ANC is an association of self-seeking individuals. It does not exist as an organisation."

He said the African National Congress could not claim to be heading up a national democratic revolution.

"There is nothing revolutionary about the ANC. Conditions of the working class have not been improved since 1994."

The ANC had failed to recognise what the former ANC Youth League leaders had been seeking to achieve, which was economic freedom.

He said the party's acceptance of free trade and the elimination of trade tariffs had cost the country.

"How are we going to create jobs, when we have such low tariffs."

Shivambu said the fact that South Africa had be come a net food importer meant there were no jobs. It was time for civil society and parties to come together to transform the country.


Source : Sapa /js/hdw/lp
Date : 25 Apr 2014 15:55

 

[LazyLion]

ZUMA WARMLY RECEIVED IN KWA-THEMA

ANC President Jacob Zuma received a warm welcome in Kwa-Thema as he continued a door-to-door campaign on the East Rand on Friday.

Supporters cheered and chanted as Zuma got out of his car. Pupils still in their school uniforms screamed and jumped high as Zuma waved to the crowd.

Supporters wearing African National Congress attire with flags in hand sang and danced while Zuma entered houses to speak to residents.

They were singing "Siyaya, so nqoba," (We are going to win).

Zuma has been campaigning in the East Rand since the morning. He mostly met senior citizens and encouraged them to vote on May 7.

He was scheduled to visit Tembisa for a mini rally later in the afternoon.


Source : Sapa /kn/hdw/lp
Date : 25 Apr 2014 15:57

 

[Sherbang]

And you still have to tell me what you like about their manifesto, when compared to the DA.

The problem is I don't trust the DA, just like I don't trust the ANC or Agang, not specifically differences in manifesto.
Even the ANC and DA have more in common with their policies than differences.

The DA and Agang are just too Obama type 'Hollywood' moviestar. I mean come on

This kind of branding is the opposite of integrity to me.
Likewise, the DA slogan you gave "Together for change; together for jobs" is all very well, all the parties agree with it.
But they don't seem to be placing much emphasis on it, instead choosing to focus on SMS messages about Zuma stealing, other adverts attacking the ANC and police and, of course, the inevitable focus on Nkandla.
I'm not saying these are not issues of course but their slogan doesn't seem to reflect the reality. Again, it's style over substance.

 

[Wyzak]

ZUMA APPOINTS ELECTORAL COURT CHAIR

Judge Jeremiah Buti Zwelibanzi Shongwe has been appointed chairman of the Electoral Court, the presidency said on Friday.

"President Jacob Zuma has, in terms of section 19(1)(a) read with section 19(2) of the Electoral Commission Act, 1996, appointed the Honourable Mr Justice Jeremiah Buti Zwelibanzi Shongwe as Chairperson of the Electoral Court," spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement.

"The appointment is for a period of five years, with effect from May 1 2014.

Zuma said: "We wish Justice Shongwe all of the best in the execution of this important judicial task."

Shongwe is a Supreme Court of Appeal judge at the moment.


Source : Sapa /aw/hdw/lp
Date : 25 Apr 2014 15:46

Awfully convenient time to elect a new judge to the electoral court - same time as the ANC has asked the court to rule on a DA SMS.