Thursday, February 3, 2011

Resurrection

getting back to jotting down my random ramblings has been something i've been meaning to do for a while now. so here it is... finally. i've also been inspired by some really awesome blogs and bloggers. take from these e-pages what you will, leave what you can't be bothered with.

i came into work this morning to news that nothing much changed overnight from cairo, egypt. protestors there are demanding the immediate resignation of president hosni mubarak. many people have asked me "why should we care?". good question. why should we? furthermore why should we put a hair out of place for the divide in sudan, the impending uprising in jordan or the political tug-of-war in the ivory coast? on a very basic level it comes down to the fact that we are all linked together as human beings existing on this earth together and at the same time. issues of democracy, survival and fighting for what's fair and just should be something we can all give at least some thought to. even if it does not directly affect us. it's what makes us human, surely?

and... registration for local government elections in south africa takes place nationwide this weekend. i have many times in the past blogged about the absolute importance of having your say. so i'll avoid the long ramble here and head straight to the main point that most non-voters make, "it doesn't matter anyway, we all know who will win". while at the moment that may have an ounce of truth, if all these people did go out and vote then perhaps change could and would happen. just last week the world joined south africans in praying etc etc for the recovery of nelson mandela. it was as if the man had already died, such were the eulogies being thrown about for all to hear. but madiba and so many others from your families and mine could only dream of a day when we, their children, could freely and openly vote.

for practicality sake it's quite simple. if you have voted in a previous local or national election, then chances are you are already on the voters roll and so do not need to register again this weekend. you can check at the IEC's website. there are many quick and easy ways to do this and all you need is your ID number. if you do need to register, the process is generally quick and efficient. and no, i am not a spokesperson for anyone. lol.