#ChangeOneVote

The current political situation in South Africa needs to change.
 
It's not going to happen via shared News24 articles, via trending topics, nor via opposition parties exposing corruption within the ruling party. While student uprisings and endless marches to Parliament are warranted, they alone will not (peacefully) bring about the necessary change. The ONLY way to make a difference is at the voting polls in 2019.
 
It's time we openly talk politics with our fellow South Africans. #ChangeOneVote is an initiative to bring about a discourse whereby each individual takes it upon him or herself to change the opinion of just ONE ANC voter or alternatively, illustrate to a non-voter the power of the collective. For far too long has the liberation been deemed a reason to support the ANC; and ignorance as to what is going on is no longer a valid excuse.
 
18 million people voted in 2014 with a voter turnout of 73%. 11 million of those votes went to the ANC (62%). South Africa therefore has just over 3 years to take 5 million votes away from the ANC and get 5 million more eligible (non-ANC) voters to the polling stations in 2019. A pipe-dream perhaps, but if achieved, it will give South Africa a real chance at unseating a ruling party which has quite clearly let the country down.
 
So let's make a combined commitment towards that goal. Only sign this pledge if you undertake to having that discussion with someone who's vote you feel can and should be changed in 2019:
 
"I hereby pledge to vote for any party OTHER than the ANC in the 2019 South African general election and endeavour to change at least ONE person's vote by a) convincing them that their vote will make a difference and b) openly discussing the current political sitution in our country and highlighting the danger of a continuing ANC government."
 
The aim is simply this: To create a lasting platform whereby evidence of ever growing numbers committed towards creating a change in 2019 will give us hope that such a change is actually achievable.

 

 Picture credit: Nick Anderson