#IMadeMyMark: The value of voting on May 8
"If you don’t vote you won’t have the right to stand up and complain,” says Ivan De Klerk
The RECORD spoke to Ivan de Klerk, who is a pastor and well-known person in Eden Park, about the importance of voting. Ivan has a doctorate in theology and is currently working as a lecturer.
“It is firstly my democratic right to vote,” said Ivan about why is important for him to. “I vote so that I can have my say in the governance in a country.”
Ivan believes that voting in the past has definitely made a difference and changed things in South Africa. “Since 1994 you’ve seen a lot of changes that took place in our state, our local government and provincial government, although there is a lack of service delivery in certain areas that needs to be rectified.”
Ivan believes that the upcoming election will be one of the most vital elections in South Africa. “Several political parties have been mushrooming and there are a lot of different ideologies about what our country is supposed to be ,” said Ivan.
“There is a lot of things that still need to be done. For a person to ensure that service delivery happens people have to vote. If you don’t vote you won’t have the right to stand up and complain.”
With regards to young people, Ivan believes it is important that young people should vote.
According to him, young people are the majority of decision-makers currently in South Africa. “The number speak for themselves,” said Ivan. “The future will be in their hands. By voting as a young person you will have the right to approach the government with issues young people experience. Issues like unemployment and drug abuse . It is a benefit for young people to vote so that they can raise their voices.”
Ivan De Klerk will be making his mark in May. Will you? #IMADEMYMARK
