Former president Thabo Mbeki cast his vote in this year’s local government elections at the Holy Family College in Johannesburg before lunchtime on Wednesday.
He would not indicate which party and councillor he chose, maintaining that his vote is “a secret”.
Instead, he talked about the importance of voting. “To vote is a celebration of that struggle, a celebration of that victory [to ensure that everyone can vote].”
That struggle had at its core the need to allow everyone to vote, so that legitimate governments could be formed. These could then represent the will of the country, he said.
That sentiment echoed those of former president Kgalema Motlanthe, who queued to vote half a kilometre away at the Killarney Country Club.
Speaking to media, Motlanthe said people should use their public holiday to vote. Better known for his role as the country’s deputy president, Motlanthe refused to talk about his vote – pointing out the importance of keeping the integrity of the process.
He did say that he had advocated for the ANC when it came to his own ward councillor. “It is an open secret that I have been canvassing.”
Like Mbeki, Motlanthe was flanked by ANC officials. Johannesburg Mayor Parks Tau was also present.
Mbeki and Malema
Mbeki’s vote comes in the wake of intense speculation about his relationship with the party he led, and the direction of his vote.
On Monday, he welcomed EFF leader Julius Malema to his home and posed for photographs after a long discussion with the top leaders of that party.
This led to speculation that Mbeki was finding a way to punish the ANC and its direction under current president Jacob Zuma.
As previously reported in the Mail & Guardian, Mbeki had declined requests by mayor Tau to actively campaign for the ruling party. But he met the mayor again on Tuesday, holding a press conference afterwards.
He did not endorse the ANC at that moment, but was wearing an ANC jacket.