Former footballers encourage Zims in SA to vote

The “Role out the vote campaign” programme is the brainchild of the Ubuntu Calabash partnership of South African-headquartered humanitarian organization – the Southern African Women’s Institute for Migration, in partnership with Show Me Your Number, formed by former South African premier league footballers and soccer administrators.

Organisers recently told The Zimbabwean that Dinha, who played for Caps United and a number of South African clubs, is an ambassador for the programme, alongside popular former South African footballer – Thabang Lebese.

The two former players, who both turned out for Johannesburg soccer giants Orlando Pirates and several other clubs between themselves, confirmed their involvement.

“This initiative is for a noble cause that fights xenophobia and encourages the spirit of one-ness among Africans, among others and I am happy to be part of it,” said Dinha.

“We also want to encourage Zimbabweans living in the Diaspora to register to vote in the next elections. As a Zimbabwean myself, I know how important it will be for people to exercise their right to vote. If people do not take that initiative, they will keep complaining that certain things are not happening in the manner they want, yet they can change that with their vote. We are not telling people who they should vote for because we are not politicians, but only encouraging them by telling them that their vote is their voice,” he said.

Lebese echoed the same sentiments, adding that the time to fight over nationalities has long gone out of fashion and that voting will give people power.

“Zimbabweans and other Africans should also be encouraged to vote in elections taking place in their country because the time of sitting in a corner and complaining is over. No-one will change things for you if you are not taking the initiative and that is the message we are preaching in this programme. Those who have been in South Africa have seen how locals exercise their right in that regard and we want to spread this to the whole of Africa.”