By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The South African Council of Churches (SACC) held the National Day of Prayer which united various religious and political leaders ahead of the May 29 elections.
The National Day of Prayer ahead of the polls took place at Grace Bible Church in Soweto on Sunday.
Gauteng premier and ANC provincial chairperson Panyaza Lesufi, DA leader John Steenhuisen, COPE leader Mosiuoa Lekota and UDM leader Bantu Holomisa were some of the political leaders in attendance.
SACC acting general secretary, Rev Mzwandile Molo, called for elections that are free from fear and intimidation.
“We stand together and pray for elections seasoned free of violence and intimidation. We stand and pray for an independent commission. The will of the people should determine those who govern. We call for dignity and equality for all. No one must be an observer.”
He also called for SA to be free from corruption, racism and unemployment.
President of the South African Council of Churches, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, said the incoming leadership must be characterised by people who love the country.
“We remind ourselves that having voted, we still need to hold that mirror before ourselves and before the politicians and before everybody that makes South Africa work and … to say how do we roll up our sleeves and meet the needs, particularly of the poorest of the poor? How do we make people safe?” says Makgoba.
“It’s our prayer that as the new cabinet, and parliament are inaugurated (they are) characterised by people who love this country, who love themselves, and who love God,” he added.
IEC chairperson Mosotho Moepya also addressed a “national day of prayer” at the Grace Bible Church.
Moepya said the commission improved its processes to ensure a successful election.
“Shortly after the elections in 2019, the IEC did a debriefing session. We looked at everything that went well in the elections and those things that did not go well. We looked at what it is that did not go well and that led amongst others to legislation being taken to Parliament.
“Shortly after we had done so, a case that will be a defining case in this election went to the Constitutional Court and introduced independent candidates and that piece of legislation was finally cast last year,” he said.
Meanwhile IEC said, it is finalising preparations for the 78 092 South African citizens who applied to cast their special vote abroad.
Working with the Department of International Cooperation and Cooperation (DIRCO), the IEC said it has begun shipping voting materials. These include voting booths, ballot boxes and papers, stationery packs, and all the relevant lists.
The commission said voting out of the country will take place in 111 foreign missions.
South African citizens in Algiers, Amman, Cairo, Kuwait City, Jeddah, Ramallah, Riyadh and Tehran will vote on 17 May.
The rest of the 102 missions will make their mark on Saturday, 18 May 2024.
The voting stations will be open from 7am to 7pm, allowing 78 092 voters to exercise their right to vote in South Africa’s 2024 National Elections.