Zuma: Follow Mandela and vote

2011-05-16 18:30

Cape Town - President Jacob Zuma has called on all South Africans to follow former president Nelson Mandela's example and use their vote in the local government elections on Wednesday.

"The first president of the free and democratic South Africa has led by example. We must now learn from him as we always do and go out in our millions to vote," Zuma said in a statement on Monday.

Mandela cast an early ballot at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, on Monday morning.

Independent Elections Commission chairperson Brigalia Bam told the Associated Press that the 92-year-old statesman and Nobel peace laureate voted privately under observation of officials.

She said Mandela looked "healthy and handsome" as he cast his vote.

Zuma congratulated Mandela on casting his vote and urged South Africans to follow in his footsteps and use their democratic right to vote.

Zuma said the IEC had assured him that all systems were in place and that voting stations would be ready on Wednesday morning.

- SAPA