VRYHEID KZN: Local voting stations quieter than normal
(November 1), people around South Africa were ready to visit their nearest voting station to get their thumbs inked and to influence the delivery of basic services in their areas by exercising their right to vote
Political parties and individuals who took part in the local municipal elections have been busy for the past few weeks, preparing for the day when everyone would make their mark at the ballot. And indeed on Monday (November 1), people around South Africa were ready to visit their nearest voting station to get their thumbs inked and to influence the delivery of basic services in their areas by exercising their right to vote.
President Cyril Ramaphosa urged all citizens to adhere to the Covid-19 health regulations at voting stations. Vryheid Herald journalists visited a few of the voting stations on Monday to cover the elections. A general observation was party officials seated outside the voting stations, party agents inside the stations to monitor everything taking place, and IEC officials assisting voters, but very few actual voters making their mark.
Different people had different experiences while voting on Monday… This question was asked on the Vryheid Herald Facebook Page: “Are you voting today or have voted already? Let us know about your experience at the voting station.” This is how AbaQulusi residents responded:
Michelle Kok Fynn: “I did, and my hubby. We stood in the line. 15 minutes and we were out. It went well for us. Thank you to the team.
Kerrie Fordyce: ‘’My husband and I voted at Dlomodlomo Primary School. It took about an hour. No social distancing (shocker), but once inside, it was smooth and efficient.”
Aya Aya: “Voted at Thandokwakhe Intermedaite School (Shoba). There was no social distancing. Police officers were sitting there playing with their phones. Some officials urged us to vote for their parties.”
Marie Spangenburg: “Well, my mother was told that her name was not on the list and she would have left if I didn’t check on the list on her behalf and found her surname!!! DA officials.”
Mazibuko Sibonelo: ‘’Great thanks, the elections were fair.”
Charlin Jeanette Viljoen: ‘’I’m not voting, sorry.”
Barbie Banks: “Shocking… I did a change of residential address some time ago. I got to the voting station at Stillwater at 07:15 this morning to cast my vote, only to be told I was not registered… Nearly 100km later, back and forth to the IEC office here in Vryheid, nothing was rectified. IEC error in not capturing my new details back then. Given an ultimatum of either leaving the voting station voluntarily or being escorted out by an official… So the long and the short of it: IEC error and have not had the Constitutional Right to vote, thanks to their INCOMPETENCE… Will be taking this matter further…”
Ronell Keeve: ‘’Voting went smoothly. No queue at our voting station. I was also not on the list ‘outside’, but was encouraged to enter and it was on the list ‘inside’. Please, people, you have to vote. Please consider voting. It really does make a difference.”
Linda de Jager: ‘’I voted at the NRS sports field and experienced no problem whatsoever.”
As millions of South African citizens went to the polls to vote, some people took the day (which was also declared a public holiday) as a chance to relax and spend time with family and friends.
A total of 323 political parties contested the elections nationally. Here are the results of how each ward voted:
Ward 1 – IFP (Mkwanazi Sibusiso Blessing); Ward 2 – IFP (Mbatha Khumbula Zweliphumile); Ward 3 – IFP (Ndlela Bhekameva Ellias); Ward 4 – IFP (Khumalo Michael Bhekisipho); Ward 5 – IFP (Vilakazi Thembekile Elizabeth); Ward 6 – IFP (Mdlalose Bheki Wiseman); Ward 7 – IFP (Khumalo Mzingendoda Derick); Ward 8 – IFP (Buthelezi Bonginkosi Praisego); Ward 9 – DA (Viktor Magdalena); Ward 10 – ANC (Sibiya Ntokozo Maxwell); Ward 11 – IFP (Mthembu Sandile Sikhumbuzo); Ward 12 – ANC (Mdlalose Nkosikhona Ntombiyepahla); Ward 13 – IFP (Mbatha Absolom Phaphama); Ward 14 – IFP (Mtshali Linda Welcome Cliffort); Ward 15 – IFP (Mtshali Mbekezeli Lucas); Ward 17 – IFP (Sangweni Jabulani Xolani); Ward 16 – ANC (Khumalo Henry Velakwakhe); Ward 18 – IFP (Ngcobo Ziqu Mandlakayise); Ward 19 – IFP (Mazibuko Mandla Amon); Ward 20 – ANC (Hlatshwayo Cyril Bongani); Ward 21 – IFP (Ntuli Khumbuzile Mildred); Ward 22 – IFP (Lambiso Mluleki Mandiso); Ward 23 – IFP (Zungu Xolani Jacob). The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) managed to win 10 more wards in AbaQulusi Local Municipality, compared to the eight wards in the previous elections.
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