Solidarity Movement calls on its members to vote

The Solidarity Movement has called on its members, supporters and the broader community to participate in the general election on 7 May 2014. The Solidarity Movement inter alia includes three member organisations, namely the Solidarity trade union, the civil rights organisation AfriForum, and the community organisation Helping Hand. The 230 000 members of these three institutions and their families represent about 500 000 voters.

Flip Buys, Chairperson of the Solidarity Movement, said the call to participate in the election came after a meeting with the Freedom Front Plus. ‘The discussion with the FF Plus forms part of a series of similar meetings with, among others, the DA and AgangSA. In the discussion with the FF Plus, the Movement expressed concern, inter alia about the radicalisation of the ANC, the impact of affirmative action on South Africa, as well as the protection of minority rights in the country in general."

Buys said that at these meetings with the various political parties, the Movement conveyed the expectations of its members to the parties. ‘The following are of great importance to the Movement's members: Christian and family values, as well as Afrikaners' right to lasting freedom, safety, prosperity, multilingualism, the Afrikaans language and cultural freedom. Our members also seek sound governance, a productive and well-paid workforce, true equality without race as the criterion, and a healthy working relationship with the government.'

Buys said the Movement also called on South Africans to constantly remain actively involved in the civil society and not only participate every five years in an election. ‘Democracy is not merely determined every five years; it is also determined by people's involvement in the civil society between elections.'

Statement issued by Dirk Hermann, Executive Officer: Solidarity Movement, April 23 2014

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