BUFFELSPRUIT – The electorate were hopeful that their votes would bring about change in their lives. This came to light on Wednesday May 7, the day of the 2014 elections. Others were confident that the ruling party would continue to deliver on its promise for a better life.
Referring to the late Mr Nelson Mandela, Ms Flora Mhlongo (74) said her own life and that of others had been uplifted by him. “I won’t say anything is still going to happen. So much has already happened, much bigger things are still to come.
I loved that man. Mandela helped us. I can sit on a couch at my age because of him. I would have grown old without one were it not for him. A vote is a very big thing. We are indeed moving forward,” she said.
Mhlongo added that those did not vote were holding themselves back, and there was still so much government had to offer.
“Bigger things await us. At this moment we are farming, tractors are assisting us, people have houses, and it is all because of that man.
We want them to come back and fix these roads and maintain them. We even have tar roads now, and we are very proud of that.”
She furthermore said that she cast her vote with the hope that a bridge connecting two villages would be constructed.
“With this vote I wanted a bridge which would connect Nkanini and Buffelspruit so our children could cross and come here to attend school.”
First-time voter, Ms Ntomfuthi Simelane from Kamhlushwa hoped that her vote would benefit her community, and also create employment opportunities for young people.
“It is my first time and I hope that it will bring about change in my community. We already have tar roads, but they are in such a terrible state. I also hope that there will be more employment opportunities, because so many of us young people are sitting at home, even after going to university. We want work,” said Simelane.
