Poll Position: Make Sure You Have An ID

Good things have happened and all along we were sure 2008 was going to be a good year, until we were disappointed by the power outages. We dealt with that problem and as we were preparing to focus on the year ahead, we were disturbed by the attacks on foreigners. Surely, we have reached a stage in our democracy where we should be able to transcend such senseless violence. Now that we have crossed that bridge, we face the challenge of ensuring that all our people are in possession of identity documents.

As we prepare for the national elections next year, we should begin to educate all those who have yet to understand the importance of their votes in determining the direction this country should take, politically. The next two years will keep us all very busy. After the national elections we shall focus our attention on the 2010 World Cup.

This is why we need to start now making sure that all those who have reached a legal age to have an identity document should apply so that they are not left out when the time for voting comes. Applying for identity documents timeously will guarantee people have enough time to register with the Independent Electoral Commission as voters.

I want to plead with our people, especially those who are in higher positions, to start educating their fellows on voting procedures.

The elections should be run in a manner that will show the world that we are indeed a democracy and all what we do is done in a democratic manner. The struggle that we engaged in more than 300 years ago is not over yet. There are people out there who still think we shall fail to run this country and we shall go back to them begging that they come back and rule us. Let us not play into their hands.

- Mayor Obed Mlaba