BY: Prudence Nhavingo
A very special day that comes once after five (5) years in South African, the elections day whereby all South African use their rights to vote to choose a better leader for the country, nationally, provincially, and regionally.
On the 29th of May 2024 all South African gathered at the different voting station to vote for change, to vote for a better leader, for better service delivery, infrastructure, jobs, education and to make their voices heard by voting for what is right. Many South African queued outside the IEC voting station in the early mornings where they are registered holding their Identity card and ready to vote for the political party of their choices. Also, different political leaders and members came with their tents sitting outside of the voting station to remind people why they should vote for them and to ensure that things go according to the rules.
As political parties tend to visit each other the police were deployed at each and every voting station to ensure that voting takes place peacefully and no corruption was done, and no ballot papers were stolen. And there was a high possibility that people would fight as each, and everyone has his or her comment about a certain political party.
“Being under ANC (African National Congress) is like being engaged for 40 years without marriage nor lobola but only a promise that they will marry you, let us move on, “said Mopostol Mahlangu.
Many South Africans decided not to go to vote as they have lost hope in the South African’s political system as they are high rise in crime, high raise in poverty, lack of employment, lack of infrastructure, shortage of water, load shedding, lack of service delivery and corruptions.
“I do not think I will vote for any political as they are all the same, we stand on long queues to apply for jobs but only their families are employed and only their families receive food parcels,” said Mduduzi Maake Mabopane community member.
According to the statistics released by the electoral commission more than 27 million people are registered to vote and women makes up to 55% of that number and this shows a loss in male voters. Transport was provided for the elderly to the voting station as some of them are too old to walk there and the voting stations were operating until 09:00 PM to accommodate those who are working until late for them to be able to vote too. And the results of the votes will be announced soon.
