Elections are coming up and elderly citizens are ready to vote.
Some of our local senior citizens shared their voting experiences from years gone by with the NEWS.
Als0 read: A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION
Two women who are residents of Rand Aid’s Tarentaal Village in Modderfontein gave jewels of wisdom on the elections.
Gladys Mashaba (82) said her voting experience over the years has been positive.
“In 1994 I voted for the first time in Soweto. We voted at a school and it all went smoothly.
“It was well secured because the police were present,” said Mashaba.
She appreciated voting at Tarentaal Village because the elderly vote in the village hall and there is no noise nor long queues.
“After registration, we sometimes sit and drink tea before we vote,” she said.
Mashaba believes her vote does count and hopes it will bring change.
Making her decision to vote is based on personal research.
She said the media, including both broadcasting and newspapers, inform her on which party to vote for.
“I’m happy with voting, many things will go right when we vote,” she said.
Mashaba advised first-time voters and other young voters to do their research, watch what’s happening, think and vote for a party that’s good for them.
“They must not make their choice based on what their friends say because they are grown-ups now.”
Irene de Kock (75) expressed that she has had a negative experience of voting because of the results it has yielded.
“Now we have potholes, drains are blocked, polluted rivers and nothing is done for the poor people who live in shacks,” she said.
She believes her mark counts because she trusts the party she is voting for.
“Each year I vote for the same party and it has grown stronger. I have been checking how they have been developing,” she said.
“When I vote I make my decision alone, its all on me, I don’t listen to what other people say,” she said.
De Kock hopes voting can change her current living conditions positively.
She also hopes South Africa will turn to something good, especially for the people that need it the most.
