by ca1st-movement | Nov 6, 2021 | News
Hi, the LGE2021 is done.
For the last 6 weeks we, against all odds, ran a campaign to provide Capetonians with a CREDIBLE ALTERNATIVE. This seems to have found some fertile ground, but not enough to secure a seat.
There have been a fair amount of encouragement for us to continue and work towards contesting elections in 2024. Enthusiasm & encouragement is one thing, but the key is a rational applying of the mind in order to make a considered decision.
In this regard we will be having a 1/2 day strategic engagement where we will consider everything and make a decision whether to prepare & position ourselves to contest elections in 2024. This interaction will be held on Saturday 27th November.
If you are keen to be part of this important process or assist in any way please send me an email to
rod@ca1st.org.za
Tough choices needs to be made and here is an opportunity for you to step up to the plate and make a difference as we grapple with how to make a dent in this political discourse in our country.
I remain convinced that our people deserve better…..
CA1st CA1st
by ca1st-movement | Nov 4, 2021 | News, Rod's views
The last few weeks has been a roller coaster for me in leading the campaign to provide Capetonians with A CREDIBLE ALTERNATIVE. Alas, the voters chose something else (more of the same).
I feel good within myself for giving it a good shot, but could not have done it on my own. Hence I want to thank these folks:
1. All of you:-
A. For your support
B. For your vote
C. For your Donations (in cash & kind)
D. For agreeing to be a candidate
E. For working in the office (Lovetta, Zahra, Shireen & Robyn)
F. For volunteering your time.
G. For being a service provider
H. For contributing to our policy offerings.
I. For any advice you gave
J. For endorsements you gave.
K. For assisting in spreading our offering of a CREDIBLE ALTERNATIVE.
2. My family for the amazing support, in particular my mom and my daughter.
It was an interesting journey that I thoroughly enjoyed and was privileged to have led.
Salute
@Rod (Mayoral candidate for Cape Town in 2021)
by ca1st-movement | Nov 4, 2021 | News
On behalf of the candidates of #CA1st I wish to thank you for taking a chance on us and give us your vote. Unfortunately Capetonians again chose the DA to rule the City and the number of votes we received were not enough to secure a seat.
I have been involved in many elections but this is the first one since 1994 where the whole process rankled with me. In this regard:
1. I felt the DA was allowed to get away with murder by the IEC with the kind of things they were allowed to do right till election day,
2. The IEC disenfranchised way too many Capetonians in how difficult they made it for people to vote, and
3.There are so many questions asked about vote counting & spoilt ballots (not having party agents present was clearly a disadvantage)
4.This narrative of small & big parties is something the DA was allowed to get away too easily & it scared many people.
Together with other parties we have lodged the necessary complaints/objections requesting a RE-RUN of the Cape Town elections. I guess the IEC will pull laager and our complaints will go nowhere.
I think we had a very good offering but unfortunately not enough people heard it and we entered the race too late. We also had too little resources (human & financial) to assist us. There was not enough focus or drill down on actual local government issues and solutions offered for it
We will now do a reflection and discuss the way forward and possibly contesting the elections in 2024. Should we decide to do so, you will be informed and I trust we can count on your support, (I might not play a leading role in it).
We, in fact I gave it my all, and if truth be told I enjoyed most of the campaigning and feel the late nights and early mornings were all worth it. As I continuously said, I intrinsically believe that OUR PEOPLE DESERVE BETTER, it’s a pity they remained with the devil they know.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and am thankful for the opportunity to have laid the foundation for others to follow.
All the best….. @Rod.
by ca1st-movement | Nov 2, 2021 | News, Rod's views
My sense is that the local government election results will be a wakeup call for the so-called big parties. They have been arrogant and they have taken people for granted. It is evident that the poor and the youth are pushing back and that a considerable number of people have withheld their votes from the parties that have let them down. This election is proving that many people are no longer moved by posters or adverts. It is clear that people want real change.
While I was out campaigning, I heard, “they are all the same, all steal and are corrupt and incompetent with no consequences irrespective of undertakings by the president, a mayor, or any political leader”. We cannot be surprised by the low voter turn out when this view is held by a significant number of people.
Ordinary folks fervently believe that all politicians are only interested in enriching themselves and those close to them. No amount of spin would dissuade people from that view. Actions speak louder than words. People are distrustful of politicians and government, and rightfully so. It is for this reason that CA1st consistently argues that we are not traditional politicians. We are activists who want to change the approach within the City Council.
Establishment parties – especially the DA – have unashamedly denigrated smaller parties, independent candidates and new entrants. This gave some people the sense that it wouldn’t help if they chose to invest their votes in a smaller party, a new entrant or an independent candidate. This narrative, driven through posters and media advertising, is unethical and a direct attack on the meaning of democracy. I hate to say it but I believe certain media outlets played a big role in driving this narrative of big and small parties. This assisted in people thinking new entrants or new parties without big funding are insignificant.
I can hold my head high and I can proudly say that the Credible Alternative 1st Movement (CA1st) focused on our practical offerings for Capetonians. The more people heard us, the more they started to believe that we really had a CREDIBLE ALTERNATIVE to offer. It is a pity that we entered so late and that we didn’t have the resources to get our messages across to more people in time.
It is crystal clear that people want a credible alternative to the existing and establishment parties. People are looking for someone to deal with the real issues on the ground. Capetonians want a positive difference in their lives! I remain resolute that the Credible Alternative 1st Movement must and shall continue spreading our practical offering. We will not wait till the advent of the next election to do so.
As the leader of CA1st, I remain firm in my belief that our people deserve better. My sense is that people don’t trust the political process and we will actively work to win that trust. Other parties also have to work hard in this regard, or else we might end up with an even lower voter turn-out in subsequent elections.
In closing, I wonder if we should not change our electoral process so that citizens directly vote for the respective mayors. This will give people more power to decide on this important position that impacts on their daily lives.
BY ADV. ROD SOLOMONS, LEADER AND MAYORAL CANDIDATE OF CA1ST
Contact: 082 511 2010
by ca1st-movement | Nov 1, 2021 | Media Releases
Media Statement
Immediate Release
1 November 2021
Ethics, fairness and honesty are being touted as characteristics that all parties claim to possess – yet dirty tricks are already at play during the Municipal Elections 2021. It has come to the attention of the Credible Alternative 1st Movement (CA1st) that posters are being defaced and torn down in certain areas. This has been happening for a few days. Posters that were put up yesterday, have already been ripped from poles. What is instructive, is that whilst most of CA1st’s posters are being defiled, most of the DA posters are still on poles. The party has been informed that some others are suffering a similar fate.
“It is our democratic right to have our posters displayed equally to those of any other party,” says CA1st Mayoral Candidate, Adv. Rod Solomons. “Undermining a new and so-called small party’s campaign is disturbing, yet very telling of an agenda that has developed out of fear of defeat and new competition.”
“It will be interesting to find out who the culprits or their handlers really are, considering which party’s posters remain intact. It would also be great if SAPS could investigate and find the perpetrators, and throw the book at them,” Adv. Solomons continues.
ENDS
Issued by Zahra Ismail, Media Liaison Officer of CA1st
Contact: 0742916631
