EDITOR- May 8 was South Africans’ chance to place their vote for the future of SA for the next five years.
The Modderfontein IEC voting station was of a lower standard than previous years and apart from reportedly late delivery of ballot boxes and voting forms, the IEC had under-staffed the station to at least 30 per cent of previous election years resulting in a much longer waiting time.
The problem was not that of the government or the IEC but the inconsiderate and self-centred older population.
We all understand the necessity of people with physical difficulties being given an opportunity to cast their vote, and hence queue jumping.
There were many queue jumpers that took the opportunity of their grey hair to avoid having to stand in the queue like the rest of SA.
Whilst there were some who deserved to be there, there were others who were more than capable of standing in the queue.
We all hate to have to queue, but the problem is that the ‘capable grey’ queue jumping voters did not take into account that just like them, other people also don’t want to stand in a queue.
The ‘capable grey’ saved themselves the inconvenience of standing in the queue for say one hour and kept jumping the queue, thereby forcing the rest to wait in that same queue for say three to four hours longer.
This may not be of bother to the ‘capable grey’ but this resulted in lots of people losing patience or having to leave because of their young children in their care and going home.
Putting it in perspective to politics, the ‘capable grey’ each cast their single vote for their political party. By the number of people I saw eventually leaving the queue, I would say the ‘capable grey’ cost their favourite party say five votes for every ‘capable grey’ vote cast.
This is an estimate but I watched it happening.
The message I want to give to the ‘capable grey’ is that those of you who have a lot to say about the present South African government and politics, I suggest you learn to say less and do more, or perhaps just shut up?
However there were many who could have done this, but did not do this and I say good for you and well done now that your party has won again.
‘Capable Grey’,
Modderfontein.
• Letter edited.
