Ntuli tells Nkandla voters what staying home leaves to others
NKANDLA — KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli urged residents to choose councillors who understand their communities’ needs, saying those who sit out the municipal elections leave that choice to their neighbours for the next five years. Speaking after voting in Nkandla on Wednesday, he said residents should judge prospective leaders on the services they can deliver and respect the right of others to choose differently.
Ntuli cast his ballot at about 10am at Vumanhlamvu Primary School in Ward 6. Earlier that morning, he visited voting stations at Thalaneni and Mbizwe to check how polling was proceeding. He told journalist that his office had received no reports of major disruptions by the time he voted.
A peace pledge put to the test
Ntuli’s appeal was directed at political parties as well as individual voters. Before polling day, he had urged parties and candidates to commit publicly to peaceful competition. Those preparations included Electoral Commission engagements with traditional leaders, civil society and faith organisations across KwaZulu-Natal. In Nkandla, his message was that political disagreements should be settled at the polling station and that residents should be free to cast their ballots without intimidation.
Former president Jacob Zuma also voted in Nkandla, at Ntolwane Primary School. The MK Party leader welcomed the turnout he had seen and called for calm among parties and their supporters. Ntuli reserved his closing appeal for residents who had yet to vote: “I therefore urge you not to hand over your power of decision making to others.”
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