If there is anything that can divide and unite a nation at the same time is an election. Recent years have shown politics to be more unpredictable than ever, and perhaps the only certainty is our growing desire to find scapegoats and heroes. At the end of it all, as a nation, unity should be the ultimate choice. Our readers reflect on the election outcome in Seychelles.
Change. It is a word which has solicited much attention during the 2020 election campaign.When I look back on the various reactions to it, I can’t help but think it was not the right choice of word in the first place. Any change is progress, whether it is good change or bad change.Change gets us to think differently, invites different people to join the conversation, allows us to do things differently, forces us to venture outside familiar and comfortable zones. Whether the outcome of change is not a positive one, the journey of change is one that allows us to grow and to make progress.
Progress. Now, that is a better word. I firmly believe that the results of these October elections will allow us to make progress. The lessons we will learn will shape us and the way we build our country from this moment on. I hope that the initial emotions which we are experiencing, be that of extreme joy or pain, phase out soon. Our country has always needed us, and contributing to it is something which we have all been doing in one way or another. We have far more things in common than differences, and that in itself is, and has always been enough, for us to always be united. Love and light to all my country people.
Marie-France Watson, Seychelles
Election is over, I am still the same person, you’ve always known. Just like I’ve done for the last 32 years (since I turned 18), I will be working for my beloved country. This country I call home. I still have a family to feed, clothe and educate. I have bills, loans and employees to pay. We must remember that only through all of our skills and our consorted efforts, together as one nation, under one God can we continue to achieve and eventually flourish as a nation.
It will be a shame to think that one man can single-handedly bring the changes we hear so much about. After all, his vote alone would never have won him the election. At the end of the day, victory is one thing, continuous hard work is another. It requires the effort of each and every individual, with the same energy that was used to win, and a complete change of mindset – whether your personal choice was different in the ballot, Seychelles needs all of its children. I am thankful to the outgoing President for all his efforts. Because of him and others before him, We’ve made it this far. To his successor, congratulations. We have a tough road ahead but as a resilient nation, together, we can and we will.
Beryl Payet, Seychelles.
President Danny Faure has always said that Seychelles is bigger than all of us, and President Wavel Wamkalawan echoed the same, so I applaud them. Let’s put the elections and the divisions behind us and let’s put Seychelles first. Transformation and mindset change – A MUST.
The people of our beloved Seychelles is divided, as expected, after such an intense election campaign. I am calling on all citizens to put the campaign behind us. Our country needs all its citizens. We have a big, common enemy called Covid 19. We have businesses barely hanging on, our young people who got their Diplomas and Degrees but can’t put them to work, our
brothers and sisters who have been made redundant, and the years 2021 and beyond are full of uncertainty. We have to work together and be obsessed with putting our beloved Seychelles first so that we can survive this storm together. I love Seychelles, So I am going to examine my own conscious thoughts about what I can do for my country, and not only what my country can do for me; how can I work in the best interests of my beloved Seychelles and not just for personal gains. So help me God
Shella Payet-Mohideen
Congratulations to the newly elected President and his team. I am proud of our beautiful Seychelles. We are a nation of survivors, no matter how many times we get knocked down, we’ve always found a way to get right back up. For everyone back home with boots on the ground, thank you for all your hard work and sacrifice. No matter what your political views, remember, as a nation we have been given a fresh start, to heal, come together and rebuild. Things will not change overnight, be patient and be generous with the gift of time. Stay focused and concentrate on making Seychelles a better place.
Myra Icke, USA
This is how I see it- a new dawn is upon our beloved Seychelles. A majority of our nation is waking up with a smile and looking forward to what next. Many Seychellois are a bit sceptical about this change because they believe in ‘better the devil you know’ but I will say that audaciously embrace the change, and hope for an even better Seychelles for the future generations.
I am a firm believer of Change and this is why:
Change is a turning page; it closes one chapter and opens another one
Change can bring new beginnings and excitement to life
Without change, we will never be able to make improvements
Change trigger progress
Change brings new choices
“Change is hard at first, messy in the middle and gorgeous at the end”
I am looking forward to the new Seychelles where everyone works as a proud nation.
Jacqueline Philoe, UK
