AParty is Fighting for the Expat Vote

To those who have been following the progress of the AParty, South Africa's newest and most progressive political party, we are excited to bring you an update on our fight to reinstate the voting rights of our country's 2 million+ expatriate citizens. Mr A, chairman and leader of the AParty, says "I need Expat support to win the battle for their voting rights."

To those unfamiliar with our intentions, Anthony Penderis, founder of the AParty and nicknamed Mr A, intends to challenge the government in the Constitutional Court on the issue of voting rights for South Africans working, studying or travelling abroad.

"They were robbed of their voting right by the Electoral Laws Amendment Act passed through Parliament just before the 2004 election. Unfortunately our day in court will cost around R200,000 (U$20,000). Contributions from anyone who feels strong about this will be greatly appreciated and can be done through my website at www.aparty.org.za," says Mr A. We need your contributions to take this battle as far as it must go to win back your rights.

"We have completed the first round with a Senior Advocate (SC) experienced in political matters, who prepared a 100-page opinion for us on the eligibility of voting rights for South Africans working, travelling or studying abroad. He is now busy drafting the application with supporting affidavits to be delivered to the Constitutional Court. This is the only way to challenge the South African government on the issue of Expat voting rights.

"South Africans abroad could still vote during the 1994-election, which saw Mandela elected as president, as well as during the 1999-elections. To summarily rob people of their voting rights while they try to carve out a living in foreign countries is unfair and underhanded. Most of them were either forced out of their jobs in South Africa by affirmative action or felt threatened by the worsening crime situation. I worked as an expat myself for six years and understand their frustrations. Most of them will return if local employment conditions improve and the crime rate goes down," says Mr A.

After the Constitutional Court has studied the application by the AParty, the Court will then request replies from parties which they consider should have a say in the matter. Respondents could include the President, the head of Independent Electoral Commission and one or more ministers in the Cabinet. When the respondents' replies have been studied by the Court, they issue a reply to the AParty's legal team. The team then prepares their Heads of Argument for one day's hearing in court where the matter will be argued.

An estimated 2 million South Africans are abroad at any given time, either on vacation, working, studying, taking part in sport events or travelling on business.

"The AParty aims to turn voter apathy around in South Africa and targets the 4 million South Africans who stopped voting plus a further 10 million plus between the ages of 18 and 35 who have never voted. If we can get a significant percentage of these two groups back at the polls, we will make an impact," says Mr A.

The AParty's Manifesto states that it builds forth on the legacy of President Mandela who cherished 'the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities'.

The party believes in transparent governance with limited powers bound by a higher set of rules contained in the South African Constitution. Through this the basics of a modern democracy can be guaranteed which includes an independent judiciary, a free press and life's essentials such as health care, education, housing and job opportunities for all.

Only with these basics in place can a thriving, prosperous nation be possible to unleash the creativity of its peoples and the full economic potential of the country for the benefit of the entire Southern African continent. Please show your support by registering and donating at our website, www.aparty.org.za.

Yours Sincerely,

Mr A (Anthony Penderis)



Please visit the AParty website, www.aparty.org.za, to find out more about our policies and beliefs, and to register and donate to show your support. Also visit Mr A on his Facebook profile.

REINSTITUTING OVERSEAS VOTING RIGHTS

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We have put the machinery in motion to fight for the voting rights of all South Africans living and traveling abroad during the 2009 General Election. Additional good news is that the South African Youth League Abroad will be doing a protest march in London on 6 December for South African voting rights and another one in Johannesburg during January.

Our legal representatives have instructed a Senior Counsel experienced in political matters to give us an opinion on the chances of overturning The Electoral Laws Amendment Act passed through Parliament just before the 2004 election.

This Act has robbed all South Africans working, studying or travelling abroad (expats) from a chance of voting during the last election. This is unfair and clearly a tactic by the government to block potential votes against them. The majority of South Africans Expats will certainly not vote for this government.

A legal opinion on this matter has never been written and depending on the findings of the SC we could challenge the Government in the Constitutional Court. A ruling in our favor could force the government to postpone the elections to allow reasonable time for voter registration overseas.

You can show your support by signing the petition for the Expat vote at www.mypetition.co.za which is growing fast. An estimated 2 million South African are either working, studying or travelling on business or vacation or taking part in sport events outside the country at any given time.

Apart from this you must keep in mind that the A-Party aims to turn voter apathy around in South Africa. We are targeting the 4 million South Africans who stopped voting plus a further 10 million plus between the ages of 18 and 35 who have never voted. We do most of our work on the Internet simply because 60% of these people have access to computers, whereas only 1.5% of ANC supporters have computers.

This legal maneuver is costing us thousands. We would therefore appreciate a minimal contribution of R30.00 or U$5.00 which can be made through our website at www.aparty.org.za at DONATE NOW. All credit cards are accepted.

Forward this newsletter to as many people as possible especially those living overseas.

Thanks and Regards

Mr. A

Chairman and Leader: A-Party

Website: www.aparty.org.za

Mail questions and remarks to newsletter@aparty.org.za or visit the blog on our website.

Please join the group Mr. A for President on FaceBook

Welcome to the Face of the New South Africa

The A Party stands for change. We will contest the 2009 General Elections.

The A Party Manifesto...What we stand for?

We build forth on the legacy of President Mandela who cherished 'the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities'.

We believe in transparent governance with limited powers bound by a higher set of rules contained in our Constitution. Through this we will guarantee the basics of a modern democracy including an independent judiciary, a free press and life's essentials such as health care, education, housing and job opportunities for all.

Only with these basics in place can a thriving, prosperous nation be possible to unleash the creativity of its peoples and the full economic potential of the country for the benefit of the entire Southern African continent.

About Mr. A

Anthony Penderis was born in Cape Town and received his school education in Namibia after which he obtained an Honnours Degree in Civil Engineering at the University of Stellenboch. After a short career as civil engineer in private practice and lecturer at the Cape Technikon he turned to journalism for a period of four years. He then started his own Communications Agency, which he ran for a period of fifteen years, first from Cape Town and later Somerset West as his base. His Agency specialized in public relations and advertising mostly for clients in the field of agriculture (citrus and deciduous fruit), wine and sport.Know More

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To know more about A Party please visit our website