Hon Chairperson and the hon Chairperson of the Council, Mme Modise, hon Minister, Mama Motshekga, hon Deputy Minister, colleagues, the IFP will always remain indebted to and applaud the efforts of our democracy founding fathers and mothers for their maturity in dealing with issues that led to our democracy. The special focus here is on Convention for a Democratic South Africa, Codesa 1 and Codesa 2 in the early l990s.
We will also never forget the dedication of Prof Okumu from Kenya, who ensured that an eleventh hour settlement took place between Mr FW de Klerk, Dr Nelson Mandela and Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi to facilitate the participation of the IFP in the l994 elections, thus averting what could have been a disaster for South Africa. As the IFP, we also applaud the marathon meetings, engagements and give- and-take of the first democratic Parliament between 1994 and 1996 which came up with our Constitution. Indeed, the IFP was there and we are proud of it. We are proud of Chapter 2 of our country's Constitution which is largely the IFP contribution to the
constitution-making process of South Africa. Today, the IFP wants to focus on the right to vote. Amongst the top priorities of the struggle, the right to vote ranked the highest in the agenda. This is because, when you have achieved your right to vote, it then becomes your voice. The right to vote gives you access to economic freedom. It gives you access to quality education. It gives you access to land, quality health care. It ensures your right to life, to shelter and so on. In respect of South Africans; have their right to vote given them access to all these aspects?
As we move to 8 May 2019, our country's national and provincial Election Day, the IFP is cautioning South Africans to exercise their right to vote with care. Do not vote today and toyi-toyi tomorrow about corruption. Do not vote today and toyi-toyi next week about crime. Do not vote today and toyi-toyi next week for free education. For a solid 25 years ...
IsiZulu:
... kungani abantu baseNingizimu Afrika befuna ukuqhuzulwa yisigodo esisodwa njalo ngokhetho endaweni eyodwa?
English:
The IFP says, so that you do not stumble in the same hole after every election, change course this time around; change direction. Vote out of power those who sell the soul of your country to the likes of Bosasa and the Guptas. Vote out of power those who have failed to give you quality health care, quality roads, quality education. Vote out of power those who fail to manage your electricity properly. Vote load shedding out of power. Vote corruption out of power. Vote joblessness out of power. Take the road less travelled. It leads to glory, integrity and respect for humanity. The road less travelled leads to Ubuntu. The road less travelled leads to service delivery for you and not only for friends and comrades. And that is the IFP road.
The IFP appeals to all fellow South Africans to say let us jealously guard that which belongs to us, and that is our country. Let us secure our freedom and our resources by putting into power service over self. If we do not do it this year, it might be too late in another five years. Wherever you are South Africa, think about your future, think about the future of your children, and think about the economy of your country. And say, 25 years has been too long a chance for you to still be struggling like this. Vote arrogance out, and put respect, morality and values into power. So says the IFP. I thank you Chair.