Madam – Election Day – 7 May 2014. It made world-headlines with the BBC announcing it as “ the first election since Mandela died .”
In my Identity Document I have stamps proving that I’ve always taken part in the voting process. These include the Referendum of 17 March 1992 and the elections in 2004 / 2008. What happened to the stamp for the very important and paradigm-shifting 1994 election? I know I was there and can remember how long the queues were , the ‘chats’ and even what I was wearing.
Mid-morning at the Fairleigh voting station was a slick, peaceful and accommodating affair. My husband could practise his Zulu; children laughingly interacted in the playground nearby; ANC supporters in bright yellow T-shirts wandered about; the National Freedom Party members had a tent to go to; there was a friendly police presence (no protests or ‘trouble’ to give them anything to do) and I got to leave with a black mark on my left thumb nail.
The women voting officers exhibited fake eye-lashes and fake hair but there was nothing fake about their attitude. Their courtesy and politeness was heartfelt and genuine. When for some inexplicable reason (and I’ve always voted at the same voting station), my name was not on the voter’s roll – it was no problem – a form was filled in by the Deputy Presiding Officer and two minutes later, I was back in the queue.
After being teasingly advised to ‘stem reg‘, I cast my vote. All the while, I could not help reflecting on Madiba’s gift to the nation. The gift that every person in this country is worthy of respect and integrity.
We probably all needed the day off to think and consider on what we were actually doing and contributing to.
A Proud Voter
