Most residents vote for a party rather than a particular candidate
Many voters also complain they did not know much about the candidates who ran in the by-election.
Almost everyone who voted at the Ward 102 by-elections did so to put or keep a political party in power rather than because they supported one of the candidates running for election. Many said this was because they did not know much about the particular candidates.
Also read: Meet the candidates for the Ward 102 by-election
Community members visited the five voting stations in the ward throughout the day on August 23, and the election was held without any major incidents.
The Randburg Sun asked 13 people and of them, only two (15%) said they really knew the candidate they wanted to have elected, while one person said they knew the candidate well and trusted them and the party equally.
“I know the person and I have trust in them to do a good job if they are elected ward councillor,” Brenda Lee said.
David Gous said, “I voted for the councillor because I did thorough research, read her references, and was impressed with her experience and governance, I am confident that she will be a great councillor for this area.”
The majority of those questioned thought along the same lines as Ruby and Brian Wright who said an individual does not make much of a difference in council. “It is a group of councillors who have the most power to make change,” Brian said.
Another similar thread was that residents did not know much about the candidates before visiting the voting station and meeting with party members at their stalls.
The candidates were:
For the African National Congress (ANC): Mboshwa Zephaniah Thwala (52)
For the DA: Lucinda Jane Harman (55)
For the EFF: Bernadictor Mini (48)
For the Organic Humanity Movement (OHM): Matthew William Pienaar (28).
