ELECTION NEWS - Knysna and Plettenberg Bay's respective mayors each cast their vote during this year's national and provincial elections this week, subsequently making their mark on 25 years of democracy.
Knysna municipality mayor Mark Willemse, who feels strongly about casting your vote, said it boils down to an obligation we must fulfill for society at large.
"It's not only our democratic right to vote, but is also our civil duty to do so," the mayor Willemse said. "We make a commitment to society when we vote, so we have to make sure that we do in fact cast our vote."
Mayor Willemse didn't cast his vote along with the general public yesterday, as he had registered for a special vote to ensure he had enough time to work on election day.
"I needed time to be able to carry out my job today and in order to do so I registered for a special vote," he explained. Mayor Willemse has cast his vote at Oakhill School on Monday, 6 May along with thousands of other special voters nationwide.
For Bitou's mayor Peter Lobese casting his vote on 8 May at the Assemblies of God church in KwanoKuthula was living out the dream of former President Nelson Mandela had for South Africa - a free and democratic country.
He said those who chose not to vote undermined what Mandela and many others fought for.
"Voting in the elections is your one opportunity to have your say in the future of this country. It is therefore very important to make your mark," Lobese said.
Knysna mayor Mark Willemse casting his vote. Photo: Supplied
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