As South Africa geared up for the 2019 general elections, so too did Somerset House.
On Thursday (9 May) eager children had their names marked on the voter’s roll, presented their identity documents, received their indelible thumbnail mark and participated in the secret ballot on voting day.
Posters with slogans such as “together we stand” and “fight for rights” as well as campaign posters with original party names and colourful logos were up.
The contenders for the school vote were Grade 6 learners, who completed the project, entitled “Making a Difference Through Civic Action”, in the first term.
Working in groups, the learners created political parties, identified and researched public policy issues, analysed why these are a problem, developed and recommended a strategy to deal with the issues, and justified why the strategy would work.
A class vote at the end of the term resulted in “Freedom for Everyone” and “Political Freedom Leaders” both winning the closely contested election.
In time for the South African general elections, six of the Grade 6 political parties were resurrected and embarked on the campaign trail in the hopes of winning the school vote:. Cats Must Swim – fighting for an end to corruption, sea pollution and crime.. Democratic Economic Students – campaigning for music education in disadvantaged rural schools, animal welfare and an improvement in state health care.. Freedom for Everyone – focusing on “reinventing” the school by allowing more flexibility in hair and uniform policy, and introducing soccer.. Keeping our Generation Alive – highlighting animal abuse and hair and uniform policy.. Political Freedom Leaders – promising to improve healthcare, unemployment and the accountability of Eskom.. Together We Stand – tackling unemployment and hair policy at school.
Last-minute campaigning resulted in some parties attempting to “bribe” the electorate with promises of privileges for Grade 7. The democratic principle of holding “free and fair elections” prevailed and such attempts were promptly stopped by opposing parties.
