#IMadeMyMark: Still no ID and no voting for Clermont woman
Sibongile Mavundla's wish is to be able to cast her vote one day.
NATIONAL elections will be held in less than a month’s time and Clermont woman, Simangele Mvundla (66), will still not be able to cast her vote as she is still without an identity document.
“I do not know where to go or what to do anymore. Since 1994, I have always wanted to be able to exercise my right to vote, but it now seems impossible as I do not have an identity document,” said Mavundla.
ALSO READ: Woman (60) struggles to get an ID
“My latest mission was going to the Umzimkhulu area, the place where I grew up, to get proof of address.”
Each time Mavundla gets her hopes up that her application will be accepted something always goes wrong. The Highway Mail has written numerous stories about this woman’s never-ending quest to get an identity document.
“I have told the truth since the beginning. I never knew my parents because the people who brought me up were not my family and I found out when I was older that my parents were from Lesotho and died in a car accident.
“I was told that they were trying to drive through a flooded bridge and they drowned. My parents were not even buried properly,” said Mavundla with teary eyes.
ALSO READ: Clermont woman’s ID nightmare continues
She explained that her partner was deeply involved in politics and when he passed away, she wanted to follow in his footsteps but life has not been kind to her.
“In 1994, I was among the many people who queued to apply for an ID document, but was never attended to as there were many people. It pains me a lot that I cannot even vote.”
At the age of 66, Mavundla who is suppose to be receiving a grant, wakes up early in the morning during the pension pay-out days to keep a spot for other grannies who in return pay her for her time.
“Life is hard but I am grateful that people in this area recognise me and help me where they can. A local councillor, Sibongiseni Mkhize, is also trying to help me. He also gave me money to travel to Umzimkhulu,” she said.
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