Watching Nelson Mandela cast his vote in today's South African election reminds me of one of the happiest days of my life - going with my parents and sisters 15 years ago to South Africa House in London to vote in the country's first democratic election. After years of protesting outside the South African embassy -hitherto a symbol of hate and intolerance - the poetic justice of entering the building for the first time to cast our ballots in that historic poll was not lost. We queued for hours but the waiting was joyous, filled with the singing of freedom songs and laughter. Seeing my parents finally participate in the democratic process for which they sacrificed made me proud beyond measure.

Two things arise from this memory. It reminds me of why I get angry with people who have the vote and can't be bothered to use it. It also reminds me that South Africa is still a very new country. Of course more progress needs to be made to ensure that people have access to electricity, clean water, better health and education services and to tackle the scourge of violent crime but let's remember that it was only 15 years ago that the aparthied finally died.