Antjie Krog: 'If you don't vote, you could lose what you have'
Krog says South Africans who are frustrated should use their votes to demand change, even if it’s a spoiled ballot.
Sara-Jayne Makwala King
Picture credit: annastills/123rf.com
annastills/123rf.com
Writer and academic Antjie Krog has urged South Africans not to waste their vote, as the country prepares for the local government elections next week.
Speaking to John Maytham on CapeTalk, Krog acknowledged the frustration and disappointment many people feel about the state of the country but said that staying away from the polls was not the answer.
"You must remember it's 300 years that people were dying, enduring, fighting to get a vote. So to just discard it now as useless is a pity."
Krog said she had noticed a feeling among some young people who believe democracy has done nothing for them.
"What I've found among students is [the sense] that democracy has brought me nothing. So why would I care?"
Krog's response?
"If you don't vote, it's going to take away even what you think you have."
Voting remains one of the most powerful ways citizens can hold politicians accountable, said Krog.
"You can see how nervous all the political parties are."
And for those who feel unable to vote for any of the parties, Krog suggested that even spoiling a ballot could be a way of registering dissatisfaction.
It's something Krog recalled doing during apartheid.
"I always spoiled my vote and wrote on it what I would like. You know, 'this is not democratic', or, 'where is the ANC?'"