While thousands of residents queued to vote yesterday (November 4), three school friends from Fleurhof, a suburb in western Johannesburg, ran their own little business.

Bohlokwa Mofokeng and twins Ashwin and Ashley van Greunen, learners at Fleurhof Primary School, set up a pop-up shop next to Fleurhof Community Hall, where voters were waiting in the hot sun to cast their ballots.

They had stocked up on ice-cold water, cold drinks, sweets and snacks, and business was going well.

When the Roodepoort Record visited the young entrepreneurs, the boys were excited about their sales and quick to talk about their earnings.

“We’ve made lots of money,” said Ashwin.

Asked what they planned to do with the money, he did not hesitate to say: “We’re going to buy more stock.”

Their parents accompanied them and supported their decision to spend the public holiday making some money.

For the three friends, the long queues at the voting station meant a steady stream of potential customers. While residents waited to vote, they stopped to buy something cold to drink or a snack.

On crutches, but she made her mark

A few kilometres away, another voter was determined to get to the ballot box, despite an accident that could have easily ended her Election Day.

According to the Fourways Review, Chantelle Gribble had arrived early at a voting station in Craigavon, north of Johannesburg, hoping to avoid the crowds, when a car knocked her down.

People waiting nearby banged on the vehicle and shouted at the driver to stop. One person recorded the registration number, while another helped arrange an ambulance.

Gribble was taken to hospital, where doctors confirmed that she had fractured a bone in her foot. She also suffered a tyre burn and skin damage to the back of her leg.

After receiving medical attention, she returned to the voting station on crutches.

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Her last vote

In Reebok, near Mossel Bay, Elmarie Swanepoel-Oosthuizen (80) and her friend Petro Basson (68) were also determined to cast their ballots.

The two arrived at the community hall at approximately 06:30, despite both having difficulty getting around, the Mossel Bay Advertiser reported.

Swanepoel-Oosthuizen was recovering from an operation and used a walking frame with a seat because she could not stand for long periods. Basson relied on a walking stick after a knee replacement, which still caused considerable pain.

As they waited, the friends exchanged good-natured remarks about who needed the available seat.

Both said they had voted in every election in which they were eligible and hoped to see progress in the country.

For 81-year-old Nelendrie Mahadev of Alberton, the election was particularly significant. She cast what she believed could be her final vote.

Young and old make their mark

On the West Rand, Ockert Bouwer and Etienne Hattingh spent part of Election Day helping elderly and frail-care residents in Noordheuwel get to voting stations, the Krugersdorp News reported.

For younger voters, meanwhile, the day marked the beginning of their own experiences at the polls.

Natalie Kretschmann spent part of her 20^th birthday waiting in line to cast her first vote in Atlasville, the Boksburg Advertiser reported.

She arrived at Atlasville Tennis Club shortly after 08:00 and spent about three hours waiting in the hot sun. Despite the long wait, she remained in good spirits.

Cast her first vote

According to the Germiston City News, 19-year-old Cuma Ngxiya of Delville also cast her first vote.

She hopes the election will bring better opportunities for young people, but raised concerns about electricity outages. As someone rewriting her matric, she said power cuts affect people who need electricity to work and study online.

At Springs Civic Centre, 19-year-old Jayden Habig also experienced voting for the first time. Older voter Anetjie Herbst was there too, representing a generation with more election experience, the Springs Advertiser reported.

In Roodepoort, first-time voter Joshua wa Katalay told the Roodepoort Record he wanted a say in who governed his community. Roads, burst pipes and service delivery were among the issues he wanted the new leadership to address.

In eMalahleni, first-time voters Palesa Mofokeng, Megan Maritz and Ishmael Ndimande shared their concerns about service delivery and their expectations for the future, the Witbank News reported.

Thapelo Ledwaba from Mhluzi near Middelburg had previously chosen not to vote but decided to participate in this election. He spoke about what had changed his mind.

For 18-year-old Lyla Appasamy of Durban North, voting for the first time was an opportunity to influence issues affecting young people, including unemployment, crime and support for homeless residents. The Northglen News reported on her expectations ahead of the election. She said she had researched political parties’ policies and considered their track records before deciding who to support.

Couple vote together

In Knysna, Sorelda and Lionel Groenewald voted together for the third time in their 16-year marriage.

The couple’s concerns about their municipality are closely linked to their own involvement in the community, reported the Knysna Plett Herald.

Sorelda runs a small business baking and providing catering services. She also regularly helps feed homeless children, young people and mothers facing difficult circumstances. Lionel, who is unemployed because of a disability, shares her commitment to helping others.

They hope the newly elected municipal leadership will put residents’ needs first. Sorelda also hopes to establish the Sunrise Project to help homeless and hungry people, as well as those who have lost hope.

In Kempton Park, Sarie du Toit said she was thinking about her children and grandchildren when she went to vote, reported the Kempton Express.

She wants better municipal services, particularly repaired potholes and working streetlights.

Lizette Kasselman in Alberton waited about three hours to cast her ballot, reported the Alberton Record.  She wanted better service delivery and greater accountability from elected representatives.

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