Day: February 25, 2023

Almost 220,000 eligible South Africans have heeded the call to visit the Electoral Commission’s Voter Portal to register online to vote since the launch of a national campaign on Monday.

This is in preparation for the 2024 National and Provincial Elections.

South Africans aged 16 years and older, who have a South African identity document (ID), smart ID card, or valid temporary ID, are encouraged to use the Electoral Commission’s Voter Portal to register to vote for all future elections at https://registertovote.elections.org.za (though you must be 18 to vote).

The intensive two-week online voter registration campaign, themed Your Vote Is Your Voice, continues to feature on digital and traditional media until March 3.

The campaign forms part of a multi-faceted year-long campaign by the Commission to encourage and facilitate eligible South Africans to register to vote.

The campaign is aimed particularly at the unregistered youth, so that they can vote in the 2024 National and Provincial Elections and all future elections.

“This crucial campaign is designed to educate eligible South African citizens about the importance of voter registration so that they can vote, and the ease with which they can do so online,” said Sy Mamabolo, Chief Electoral Officer of the Electoral Commission.

“The commission has taken sufficient steps to ensure that the registration process is quick and hassle-free,” he said.

Mamabolo said one of the commission’s objectives is to get the 14 million South Africans who are eligible to vote but not registered, particularly those between the ages of 15 and 29, to register and vote in the upcoming general elections.

“We urge all eligible citizens to take advantage of this online facility and take the first step towards electing public representatives of their choice. Your vote is your voice,” Mamabolo said.

Voters who are already registered and have moved since the last elections, can also check and update their address on the same portal.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Saturday that he has appointed a new Chairperson and Commissioners for the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE).

The appointment was made in terms of section 3(9) of the Commission for Gender Equality Act, 1996 (Act No. 39 of 1996), as amended.

The CGE was established in terms of Section 187 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa to promote respect for gender equality and the protection, development and attainment of gender equality in South Africa.

According to the President’s Office, Advocate Olave Nthabiseng Sepanya–Mogale has been appointed as the Commission’s Chairperson on a full-time basis, with effect from 1 March 2023 to 28 February 2028.

In addition, Advocate Thando Gumede will assume a full-time role as a member of the Commission, with effect from 1 March to 31 December 2027.

Bongani Glenton Ngomane will hold a part-time member position of the Commission, with effect from 1 March 2023 to 28 February 2028, while Leelambal Subrayan Naidoo will hold a part-time member position of the Commission during the same tenure.

Leonashia Leigh-Anne van der Merwe has been appointed as a part-time member of the Commission, with effect from 1 March 2023 to 28 February 2028.

“The President wishes the newly appointed members of the Commission well in their work and roles,” the Presidency said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) says South Africa continues to express its deep regret that the war in Ukraine, which marks its first anniversary, continues to destroy innocent lives and critical infrastructure, as well as displacement of millions of people.

“This is a war whose impact has resonated across the globe, affecting the livelihoods of the most vulnerable, and heightening the current debilitating global food, fuel and financial crisis,” the department said in a statement.

South Africa, according to DIRCO, wishes to stress its unwavering belief in the Purposes and Principles of the United Nations Charter (UN Charter).

However, the department said South Africa believes that sovereignty and the territorial integrity of all States should be “sacrosanct” and this also applies to the Ukraine.

This comes after 32 countries on Thursday abstained during the vote on a motion put forward by Germany calling for peace in the Ukraine immediately.

According to Germany’s international broadcaster, Deutsche Welle (DW), China, India, South Africa, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and much of Africa and Central Asia were among those who abstained.

In addition, 141 Member States voted in favour of the motion, and seven opposed it, including Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Syria, Mali, Eritrea and Nicaragua.

South Africa said it was firm in its resolve that urgent action is needed to end the war.

“However, it is a sad indictment on our efforts that we, as the international community, have been unable to come up with concrete proposals to create the conditions to do so. As South Africa has stated before in this Assembly, diplomacy and dialogue is the only path that will lead to a sustainable and peaceful resolution of the conflict.

“This resolution on the war in the Ukraine comes amidst an influx of arms to the region, perpetuating greater acts of violence and increased human suffering. This, together with the threat of nuclear war, makes peace seem less attainable,” DIRCO said.

Over the last year, DIRCO said, the UN General Assembly has adopted a series of resolutions on the Ukraine.

“As we have asked the Assembly before, are our words and actions focused on the maintenance of peace or creating further divisions that make the attainment of immediate peace less likely?”

While the department said it supports the present resolution’s focus on the principles of the Charter and international law, “it sadly brings us no closer to laying the foundations for a durable peace and bringing an end to the devastation and destruction”.

“What we need is a firm unequivocal commitment to peace, from all parties. A resolution calling for peace without firm action will ring hollow,” DIRCO said.

Source: NAM NEWS NETWORK