Zuma declares August 3rd a public holiday

[bandooq]

President Jacob Zuma has declared August 3 a public holiday, the presidency said on Friday.*

This would enable all those eligible to do so to cast their votes in the local government elections that day, presidency spokesperson Bongani Ngqulunga said.

“Voting is a fundamental right enshrined in our Constitution. It is important that citizens are granted an opportunity to exercise this right freely. This is particularly so when they elect this sphere of government that is closest to them”, he said in a statement.

This year marks 16 years of democratic local government in South Africa.*

 

[ToxicBunny]

Did Zuma just say this year marks 16 years if democratic local government in SA?

Is he unable to count at all?

We had our first municipal elections in 1995 (1996 for WC and KZN).

 

[ForceFate]

Thought he's be suspended by now. Or at least "stepped down to allow investigations to go ahead unhindered".

 

[MickZA]

I see the 3rd is on a Wednesday - I assume to counter "long weekend" syndrome

 

[Venomous]

I see the 3rd is on a Wednesday - I assume to counter "long weekend" syndrome

9 Aug already caters for a long weekend....

 

[cr@zydude]

I see the 3rd is on a Wednesday - I assume to counter "long weekend" syndrome

That's way they pick Wednesdays in SA.

This was always going to happen, voting day is a public holiday to increase turn out.

 

[naeem]

could they not have it on a Saturday?

Can our economy really afford another public holiday?

 

[Hemi300c]

Did Zuma just say this year marks 16 years if democratic local government in SA?

Is he unable to count at all?

We had our first municipal elections in 1995 (1996 for WC and KZN).

Probably because he knows democracy has lost and dicktatorship has won in recent years.

 

[daveza]

Thought I'd come in before someone complained about how it will affect business, oh my the sky is falling, we will go bankrupt.

I was too late.

 

[Marcan]

man people have not even registered to vote. I believe only 18m, there should be loads more.

 

[cr@zydude]

could they not have it on a Saturday?

Can our economy really afford another public holiday?

Many people have to work on Saturdays and Sundays. A public holiday helps to get everyone to vote.

 

[Kosmik]

Already booked Thurs, Fri and monday before the announcement.

 

[C4Cat]

Did Zuma just say this year marks 16 years if democratic local government in SA?

Is he unable to count at all?

We had our first municipal elections in 1995 (1996 for WC and KZN).

They are probably counting since the introduction of the legal framework governing the conduct of municipal elections in a democratic South Africa. That would be the Municipal Electoral Act, 700 of the year 2000.

 

[DJ...]

Good thing it falls on a single digit day of the month, and a grading-number that he graduated from, else somebody else would have had to announce the public holiday...

 

[TEXTILE GUY]

Did Zuma just say this year marks 16 years if democratic local government in SA?

Is he unable to count at all?

We had our first municipal elections in 1995 (1996 for WC and KZN).

[video=youtube;DClelfRo_Wg]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DClelfRo_Wg[/video]

Not in the least