While we’re talking about keeping your eyes and your minds open ahead of the elections, we must also be so careful about lines being blurred.
It’s very important that we educate ourselves about the roles and responsibilities of our political leaders so that they don’t promise us things that we should be getting anyway from those already in power.
Let me explain.
Councillors, MPs and even government employees are already employed by us to deliver services.
But some of them are in the habit of wearing their party T-shirts these days while delivering those services. Please don’t be fooled.
For example, Cyril Ramaphosa went to address the residents of Alexandra in Gauteng last week, dressed in ANC colours.
But there were times when he blurred the lines between him as ANC president and him as president of South Africa.
The one role sees him electioneering for votes for his party, while the other is the one who should be concerned with our collective well-being as a nation.
As voters, we must make sure we understand which one of the two presidents are talking to us at a particular time.
The same goes for all other politicians who are already in paid positions of power.
You may find a city councillor talking to you about all the wonderful things the ruling party has done for you and plans to do for you.
That is all fine and well, but as a councillor, it is their job to bring you those things and it certainly isn’t a favour that they are doing for you.
I would almost go as far as asking the person whether they are speaking as a councillor or as a political party member hoping to get your vote.