‘Don’t let others choose for you’: Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli urges KZN residents to vote - News24

KwaZulu-Natal Premier and IFP provincial chairperson Thamsanqa Ntuli has urged residents to vote, saying local government remains critical to ensuring communities have access to basic services.

Ntuli made the call after casting his ballot at Vumanhlamvu Primary School in KwaZulu-Natal on Wednesday. IFP members gathered outside the voting station to welcome him.

He said he was excited to have voted and described his participation as a contribution to the country’s democracy, encouraging other residents to use their votes to choose the councillors they want to lead their communities for the next five years.

“Local government is the closest sphere of government to the people. Hence, it’s quite important that we support this sphere. People choose their own councillor. I’ve chosen my own councillor. I know who I voted for, which is a secret, by the way,” he said.

Ntuli pointed to improvements in rural communities, including access to electricity, clean water, community service centres and digital facilities, as evidence that government investment had made a difference in people’s lives.

“Because people voted, this is a rural, a deep rural area, but you can see that there’s electricity here now. People have access to clean water, people have access to community service centres, even a digital centre,” he said.

He argued that voting had produced tangible results and dismissed the notion that participating in elections did not make a difference.

“When we see electricity, there’s a result of government that was voted for by the people. When you see water, there’s a result of voting by the people. When you see halls which are built across the province, it’s because of voting,” he said.

Ntuli acknowledged that many residents continued to face challenges, particularly unemployment and crime.

However, he said government programmes, including financial support for students at tertiary institutions through municipalities, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and other initiatives, were helping to improve people’s lives.

He said residents should not allow others to make decisions on their behalf by staying away from the polls.

“If you don’t vote, you are letting others choose someone that you do not believe in. You are allowing others to choose a person who will not understand your expectations and your needs,” he said.

Ntuli urged eligible voters across KwaZulu-Natal to come out in numbers and continue exercising their democratic right.

“I’m very excited that I voted today. I’m happy that I’ve contributed as a citizen of this area. I’ve also exercised my right to vote. I’m encouraging the people of KwaZulu-Natal to go and vote,” he said

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