Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Victoria O’Regan
Published on 2024-02-29 23:00:47
Former FirstRand Group chair Roger Jardine’s political start-up Change Starts Now made a surprising announcement on Thursday evening, stating that they will not be contesting in the 2024 national and provincial elections. This decision came just 10 days after the party launched its manifesto in Kliptown, Soweto, on 19 February 2024, outlining ambitious plans to improve society. The leader of Change Starts Now, Roger Jardine, cited the recent Constitutional Court ruling and the challenges it presents to newly established political parties as the reason for their withdrawal from the upcoming elections.
In a statement posted online, Jardine explained that due to the time constraints and logistical hurdles imposed by the ruling, Change Starts Now, like many other parties, found it difficult to meet the requirements to qualify for the ballot. Despite their decision to not contest the elections, Jardine emphasized the importance of providing voters with a variety of options and pledged support to political parties that align with their values and aspirations.
The Constitutional Court recently declined to hear a matter regarding signature requirements for unrepresented political parties on an urgent basis. This decision came after the court ruled that independent candidates only needed 1,000 signatures to register with the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), but did not eliminate the 15% signature requirement for parties not represented in any legislatures.
Change Starts Now, which was launched in December 2023 by Roger Jardine, had garnered significant attention and support in its short existence. The party’s leadership included prominent figures like Mark Heywood, Nicole Fritz, Dr Aslam Dasoo, and Murphy Morobe. Jardine stated that the party’s research revealed a growing demand for political change in South Africa, with only 41% of voters expressing a desire to vote for the African National Congress (ANC) and a lack of viable alternatives.
While Change Starts Now will not be participating in the upcoming elections, Jardine affirmed that they will continue to advocate for their vision outlined in the Change Charter, which offers a pragmatic approach to kickstarting the economy and promoting inclusive development. The party’s focus remains on uniting South Africans behind a shared vision for the future of the country.
In conclusion, despite their withdrawal from the 2024 elections, Change Starts Now remains committed to their ideals and will persist in championing for change in South Africa.
Read the original article on Daily Maverick
