Kwatsaduza residents exercise their right to vote

Kwatsaduza – Registered voters across Kwatsaduza refused to let the cold weather deter them from exercising their right to vote.

They flocked to the voting stations in the area clad in coats, scarves and blankets as they joined the 26.74 million registered voters across the country on Wednesday.

In KwaThema, elders came out in numbers in the early hours of the morning to cast their votes.

Gogo Beauty Thukwana says she decided to go to the voting station early because she didn’t want to stand in long queues.

“I knew that if I didn’t wake up early, I would be lazy to go later during the day.

“I also encouraged my grandchildren to vote because every vote counts towards the future of this country,” she says.

Gogo Elizabeth Motaung (76) says she lost her ID, but didn’t have enough money to apply for a new ID.

“I hoped they would allow me to vote with the copy of my ID, but they turned me down.

“It breaks my heart that I was not allowed to vote because I have been participating in all the elections since the dawn of democracy.

Meanwhile, in Duduza, Emily Mashinini says: “It is important for us to come and make our mark because there was a time when we were not allowed to vote.”

Johanna Motaung agrees that it is important to make your mark for a better future for this country.

“We know the dark past we came from and the one thing that allowed us to change the course of the country was our vote.

“The vote is where we have the power to change our country,” she says.

While many elderly people came to vote, the number of youth who made their mark was not as large in the morning.

Wandile Sibiya attributes this to the empty promises made before previous elections.

“We were promised many things like jobs, but things stayed the same after we voted,” says Sibiya.

Steven Tsotetsi shared the sentiment.

“Things have not changed since I arrived in Cool Breeze in 1997.

“The roads are not tarred and unemployment is a big problem, especially among the youth,” he adds.

Also read: Elections 2019: The IEC to conduct a sample audit of election results

There was a heavy police presence at the voting stations with multiple metro police and SAPS offices seen at all voting stations.

Meanwhile, in Langaville, Ward 111 Clr Tshepiso Mondlane queued to vote with the residents of Langaville Extension 10 at the House of Restoration Church voting station.

“I am extremely happy that I have casted my vote and hope people will also do the right thing in exercising their right to vote and select the government they want.

“I would like to say thank you to our community members for coming out in numbers despite this bad weather.”

Shoki Maila (32) says she is happy she got the opportunity to make a change in her community with her vote.

“I am voting because I want change and a better future for my son, and I hope corruption will come to an end and those implicated will be held accountable.”

Relesego Modiga (10) decided to accompany her grandmother to the voting station.

“I hope through her vote my grandmother will one day also receive an RDP house big enough for everyone at home,” she says.

Also read: Locals cast their special votes in Kwatsaduza

In Tsakane, residents also didn’t miss the opportunity to cast their vote.

Sikhumbuzo Khumalo, chairperson of the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco), says: “We as Sanco are here to observe that the elections run smoothly.

“We want to make sure no political party takes chances and try to rig the votes in any way.

“This is our democracy, we will protect it with everything we have,” he says.