Zackie Achmat, a prominent figure known for his activism in the fight against AIDS, is gearing up to contest in the upcoming 2024 elections as an independent candidate. However, he alleges that the South African electoral system is designed in a manner that erects insurmountable barriers for candidates running outside of party platforms.

On a bustling Tuesday in Cape Town’s city centre, a crowd of approximately 100 ardent supporters, many adorned in #UniteBehind T-shirts, congregated under the watchful gaze of the Jan Smuts statue outside the Iziko Slave Lodge. These loyal supporters, linked to Zackie Achmat through his extensive involvement in various organizations, had assembled to rally behind the co-founder of the Treatment Action Campaign.

The purpose of this gathering was to kickstart Achmat’s “signature collection campaign,” a crucial step in his pursuit to garner enough individual endorsements, paving the way for his inclusion in the ballot for the upcoming general election.

In his address, Achmat expressed gratitude to the attendees and extended special acknowledgment to the comrades from the Klipfontein district, emphasizing the dire plight of working-class citizens in the country, particularly in the realm of healthcare.

Yet, Achmat steered the focus to his chief agenda for the day – unveiling the intricate web of obstacles that independent candidates encounter within the existing electoral framework. He voiced his vehement opposition to a system that, in his view, unjustly stifles the prospects of independent aspirants, impeding their journey to the polling booths.

In his address to the gathering, Achmat underscored, “I’m here to say the government…