MSHOLOZI – Pensioners of the area were the first ones to line up to cast their vote in the 2014 elections in this area because they were unaware of the special votes registration that was arranged for the elderly prior the national election day.
Mr Phillious Hlongwane (77) says he was not aware of the special vote and that’s why he had to wake up as early as 05:00 to make sure that he was among the first people on the queue.
He said he had been voting since the first democratic elections held in 1994 and still hopes that the government will do more better for his area.
Watching some of the elders arguing about what the government had done since their first vote was very interesting.
Mr Philemon Manope who also didn’t vote during the special voting days, says a lot had changed since the ruling party came to power .
“There are a lot of things that were not there in the 1960’s. We are receiving electricity, we have homes and we still need more. I am going to vote for the future of my children,” they said.
Some said: “Although nothing much has been done for me, but I hope this year my vote will yield better results.”
Some said they were expecting an increament of the social grants.
Gogo Lomacala Mpila said she hopes her vote will be in a position of making party leaders to give them blankest as it is already the winter months.
Others believe that with so much opposition parties registered in this year’s elections, this might be an advantage to pressure who so ever who will be in power to deliver basic services.
Ms Simangele Nkosi, 25, said it was her first time voting and hopes her vote will create job opportunities for more young people.
When asked about how they feel about the ongoing no-vote campaign, the residents said those people behind the campaign are sick.
“Even the former president Thabo Mbeki cast his vote, so who are they to tell us not to vote or to spoil our ballot papers,” she asked.
“We hope our vote will change the current situation, with the many political parties to choose from, there are so many promises and we hope the elections will make the winning parties to ensure that they deliver their services. Change is there, although it is slow, we are still hoping for more,” they said.
Ms Gladys Mahlalela said she votes because she is a proud South African and believes that her vote is her voice.
Mthunzi Shabangu said he hopes his vote will be a voice in creating more permanent jobs for the youth so that they will be in a position of building themselves decent homes.
“We are looking for job opportunities not RDP houses, then we will be able to build ourselves houses,” he added.
When asked about the poor show up of the youth termed “Born frees” Ms Audrey Mokoena (60) said: “Some of the youth don’t know much about our history, they are not well informed and don’t even listen to news or read newspapers, but are always busy with social networks.
Their mindset is not matured as ours. We need to go back to the start-up all over and re-inform them in terms of history and make them cherish and value history.”
To view picture click here : https://www.citizen.co.za/mpumalanga-news/173409/msholozi-voting-station/
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