Commenting a day before the national elections, the newspapers mentioned the recent campaign by former intelligence minister Ronnie Kasrils and former deputy health minister Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge to get South Africans to spoil their votes or to vote for smaller political parties.
They were not referred to by name but as "ANC (African National Congress) dissenters" in the Cape Times and "ANC malcontents" in the Cape Argus.
"Spoiling your vote, and thus squandering your birthright, is not a demonstration of voter power but a deliberate act of powerlessness. It is the surest way to give yourself no say in how - or by whom - you are governed. By all means let your choice be guided by your unhappiness (or contentment), but do make a choice."The papers stated that spoiling a ballot or refusing to vote amounted to silence.
"In politics more than anywhere else, silence is interpreted as consent."
The editorials stated that because readers were "mature, independent" adults, it would be presumptuous to tell them how to exercise their democratic right.
It was impossible to propose a "one size fits all" solution as to which political party should be supported in a society as diverse and divided as South Africa.
"But what we will implore you to do is vote. Participate. Make a stand. Speak and be heard. It matters more than you know."
The Daily Voice, also a regional newspaper, did not publish an elections-related editorial and instead dedicated a double page to the choice of political parties and their promises.
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