Not sure who to vote for? Take one last look at the promises of parties below before you make your mark on May 7 2014.
Major political parties in alphabetical order:
African Christian Democratic Party:
Meshoe says the ACDP is going to work with God to resolve South African problems which are complex and can't be dealt with without his help.
"ACDP will also create a crime-free country by giving harsh punishment to criminals.
"This will create a favourable environment for investors and that will create much-needed jobs alleviating poverty."
He said the ACDP will provide children with a value based education to be able to distinguish between right and wrong. Click here for the ACDP manifesto
Agang SA:
Ramphele says the DA and the ANC are not viable options.
"We need to involve those millions of South Africans who remain outside of the political process. Ours is a new voice, unaffected by corruption.
"We offer a new start with a leader who fought for freedom and has 45 years of service to this country.
"We offer ourselves as servants, not rulers, and we'll work to empower citizens to take our beloved country back into their own hands." Click here for the AgangSA manifesto
African National Congress:
ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu says the ANC, led by Jacob Zuma, is the only party with the track record, the capacity and the commitment to move South Africa forward, particularly to better the lives of all South Africans, including those who were discriminated against during apartheid. "Their dignity has been restored. We want to continue to better the lives of all thosepeople, including creating jobs for them." Click here for the ANC manifesto
African People's Convention:
Godi says the APC has proven that it cares about the welfare and well-being of the people.
"We have taken up issues that affect the people and found solutions.
"Any leadership must be honest and have integrity. And that is what APC leadership has." Click here for the APC manifesto
Azanian People's Organisation:
Azapo deputy president Strike Thokoane says Azapo, led by Jacob Dikobe, is concerned about the level of corruption in the country which will ultimately lead to violence.
"We will do away with provincial governments. That will cut corruption. We only need national and local governments.
"We will also ensure that the president is elected directly by the people, not political parties so that when we are not happy we can recall [him or her]. The country also needs quality education and it must be free." Click here for the Azapo manifesto
Congress of the People:
Lekota says his party will implement electoral reforms.
"At the moment public representatives are not accountable to the voters. They are accountable to the political parties.
"People must have the right to choose their president, their premier and their mayor.
"We will employ professional people who have the right skills and qualifications.
"To stop unemployment, we must invest in small firms. We will make it easier to start and run a new business." Click here for the Cope Manifesto
Democratic Alliance:
Zille says the DA is the only party with a plan to create 6 million jobs over the next decade.
"These are real, permanent jobs, not Expanded Public Works Programme's 'piece' jobs.
"Our plan starts with cutting corruption, because corruption hurts the economy and leads to job losses. We will create opportunities for young people by expanding National Student Financial Aid Scheme funding and creating internships. And we will make sure that every previously disadvantaged South African benefits from BEE that create jobs, not just few billionaires." Click here for the DA manifesto
Economic Freedom Fighters:
Malema says the EFF is the alternative party to the "mediocrity" that has been running the country in the past five years.
"We provide an alternative on how the wealth of the country should be shared among all the people. Our land policy is unique and it promises to give land back to the majority of the people. We will protect the local industry by making it difficult for people to buy imported goods." Click here for the EFF manifesto
Freedom Front Plus:
Piet Uys, spokesperson for the FF+, led by Pieter Mulder, says the minority in this country are not part of the bigger agenda and are not protected as the Constitution stipulates.
"We are also concerned that Afrikaans could be phased out at schools if we are not represented anywhere.
"So if you vote for us, FF+ will make sure the minorities are part of the agenda, their voice is heard and they are protected." Click here for the FF+ manifesto
Inkatha Freedom Party:
Buthelezi says the IFP offers something unique - a proven track record of clean governance and strong opposition.
"The IFP has pioneered many of South Africa's successes, including the roll-out of anti-retrovirals, the creation of teacher training colleges and the establishment of special industrial zones.
"We know how to grow the economy while meeting immediate needs.
"Everyone is talking about government's abuse of power and its failures.
"If you're looking for a party of integrity that's strong enough to bring a real fight, vote IFP." Click here for the IFP manifesto
National Freedom Party:
Magwaza-Msibi says hers is a people's party sympathetic to the poor, children and women.
"We will ensure that we speed up service delivery and run an accountable and transparent government.
"We will concentrate on giving children quality education, providing grants and running a corrupt-free government.
"We will also build courts that focuses on prosecuting government officials that have defrauded the state." Click here for the NFP manifesto
Patriotic Alliance:
PA's spokesman Charles Cilliers says the party, led by Gayton McKenzie, is the only one that can say it was launched with the genuine intention to improve and change the lives of others - not just to enrich themselves.
Neither president McKenzie nor secretary-general Kenny Kunene have put themselves on the national parliamentary list or on any provincial lists.
"PA's policies will result in a fairer, more socio-economically equal society and McKenzie and Kunene have a long-term vision to invest in their party, to bring other great leaders on board so that this party can invest in South Africa's tomorrow." Click here for the PA manifesto
United Democratic Movement:
Holomisa says his party has been consistent in promoting ethics of good governance.
"If today we have lost R35-billion to corruption related to the tender system, imagine what the R35-billion would have done in improving the education system and creating much needed jobs." Click here for the UDM manifesto
Workers and Socialist Party:
Deputy secretary general of WASP Liv Shange says the party, led by Moses Mayekiso, is for voters who want to contribute to building a party that is not only made up of, but also led by, workers and poor people.
"WASP was formed out of the mineworkers' strike that followed the Marikana massacre in 2012 on the recognition that working class people need their own political voice.
"WASP MPs will earn on the same level as ordinary workers, and use the seats in parliament to mobilise and unite the struggles we face in communities, workplaces and educational institutions towards the socialist transformation of society that SA is crying out for." Click here for the WASP manifesto
Find your voting station:
BUY THE SOWETAN PAPER TODAY FOR A COPY OF THIS AS WELL AS MORE ON THE ELECTIONS
Where can I place my X?
Not sure who to vote for? Take one last look at the promises of parties below before you make your mark on May 7 2014.
Major political parties in alphabetical order:
African Christian Democratic Party:
Meshoe says the ACDP is going to work with God to resolve South African problems which are complex and can't be dealt with without his help.
"ACDP will also create a crime-free country by giving harsh punishment to criminals.
"This will create a favourable environment for investors and that will create much-needed jobs alleviating poverty."
He said the ACDP will provide children with a value based education to be able to distinguish between right and wrong. Click here for the ACDP manifesto
Agang SA:
Ramphele says the DA and the ANC are not viable options.
"We need to involve those millions of South Africans who remain outside of the political process. Ours is a new voice, unaffected by corruption.
"We offer a new start with a leader who fought for freedom and has 45 years of service to this country.
"We offer ourselves as servants, not rulers, and we'll work to empower citizens to take our beloved country back into their own hands." Click here for the AgangSA manifesto
African National Congress:
ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu says the ANC, led by Jacob Zuma, is the only party with the track record, the capacity and the commitment to move South Africa forward, particularly to better the lives of all South Africans, including those who were discriminated against during apartheid. "Their dignity has been restored. We want to continue to better the lives of all thosepeople, including creating jobs for them." Click here for the ANC manifesto
African People's Convention:
Godi says the APC has proven that it cares about the welfare and well-being of the people.
"We have taken up issues that affect the people and found solutions.
"Any leadership must be honest and have integrity. And that is what APC leadership has." Click here for the APC manifesto
Azanian People's Organisation:
Azapo deputy president Strike Thokoane says Azapo, led by Jacob Dikobe, is concerned about the level of corruption in the country which will ultimately lead to violence.
"We will do away with provincial governments. That will cut corruption. We only need national and local governments.
"We will also ensure that the president is elected directly by the people, not political parties so that when we are not happy we can recall [him or her]. The country also needs quality education and it must be free." Click here for the Azapo manifesto
Congress of the People:
Lekota says his party will implement electoral reforms.
"At the moment public representatives are not accountable to the voters. They are accountable to the political parties.
"People must have the right to choose their president, their premier and their mayor.
"We will employ professional people who have the right skills and qualifications.
"To stop unemployment, we must invest in small firms. We will make it easier to start and run a new business." Click here for the Cope Manifesto
Democratic Alliance:
Zille says the DA is the only party with a plan to create 6 million jobs over the next decade.
"These are real, permanent jobs, not Expanded Public Works Programme's 'piece' jobs.
"Our plan starts with cutting corruption, because corruption hurts the economy and leads to job losses. We will create opportunities for young people by expanding National Student Financial Aid Scheme funding and creating internships. And we will make sure that every previously disadvantaged South African benefits from BEE that create jobs, not just few billionaires." Click here for the DA manifesto
Economic Freedom Fighters:
Malema says the EFF is the alternative party to the "mediocrity" that has been running the country in the past five years.
"We provide an alternative on how the wealth of the country should be shared among all the people. Our land policy is unique and it promises to give land back to the majority of the people. We will protect the local industry by making it difficult for people to buy imported goods." Click here for the EFF manifesto
Freedom Front Plus:
Piet Uys, spokesperson for the FF+, led by Pieter Mulder, says the minority in this country are not part of the bigger agenda and are not protected as the Constitution stipulates.
"We are also concerned that Afrikaans could be phased out at schools if we are not represented anywhere.
"So if you vote for us, FF+ will make sure the minorities are part of the agenda, their voice is heard and they are protected." Click here for the FF+ manifesto
Inkatha Freedom Party:
Buthelezi says the IFP offers something unique - a proven track record of clean governance and strong opposition.
"The IFP has pioneered many of South Africa's successes, including the roll-out of anti-retrovirals, the creation of teacher training colleges and the establishment of special industrial zones.
"We know how to grow the economy while meeting immediate needs.
"Everyone is talking about government's abuse of power and its failures.
"If you're looking for a party of integrity that's strong enough to bring a real fight, vote IFP." Click here for the IFP manifesto
National Freedom Party:
Magwaza-Msibi says hers is a people's party sympathetic to the poor, children and women.
"We will ensure that we speed up service delivery and run an accountable and transparent government.
"We will concentrate on giving children quality education, providing grants and running a corrupt-free government.
"We will also build courts that focuses on prosecuting government officials that have defrauded the state." Click here for the NFP manifesto
Patriotic Alliance:
PA's spokesman Charles Cilliers says the party, led by Gayton McKenzie, is the only one that can say it was launched with the genuine intention to improve and change the lives of others - not just to enrich themselves.
Neither president McKenzie nor secretary-general Kenny Kunene have put themselves on the national parliamentary list or on any provincial lists.
"PA's policies will result in a fairer, more socio-economically equal society and McKenzie and Kunene have a long-term vision to invest in their party, to bring other great leaders on board so that this party can invest in South Africa's tomorrow." Click here for the PA manifesto
United Democratic Movement:
Holomisa says his party has been consistent in promoting ethics of good governance.
"If today we have lost R35-billion to corruption related to the tender system, imagine what the R35-billion would have done in improving the education system and creating much needed jobs." Click here for the UDM manifesto
Workers and Socialist Party:
Deputy secretary general of WASP Liv Shange says the party, led by Moses Mayekiso, is for voters who want to contribute to building a party that is not only made up of, but also led by, workers and poor people.
"WASP was formed out of the mineworkers' strike that followed the Marikana massacre in 2012 on the recognition that working class people need their own political voice.
"WASP MPs will earn on the same level as ordinary workers, and use the seats in parliament to mobilise and unite the struggles we face in communities, workplaces and educational institutions towards the socialist transformation of society that SA is crying out for." Click here for the WASP manifesto
Find your voting station:
BUY THE SOWETAN PAPER TODAY FOR A COPY OF THIS AS WELL AS MORE ON THE ELECTIONS
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