Elections 2014: Hopes for the future
RANDBURG - A resident was asked to leave his firearm outside the hall before he could cast his vote at Boleng Primary School.
Voting day has come and gone and few people expressed their hopes for the future after casting their ballots at Boleng Primary School, in Boundary Road.
Voting started slowly according to the Independent Elections Commission’s presiding officer Flora Mukwebo. She said, “voting started slowly and we only received about 70 people who cast their votes between 7am and 11am.”
A Kya Sand resident who only gave his surname, Mr Lemkus, was asked by the police to leave his firearm outside the hall before casting his vote.
Lemkus explained, “I am a member of the Block Watch System in Kya Sands and I’m used to carrying a gun to protect older people. The police explained the rules and I respect that. I left my firearm outside the hall and voted.”
He said his honest wish was to change the current system. “In the old system people used to go out at night without fear of the criminals. In this new system – the corrupt system – people are scared to go out because of the criminals. The magogos (grannies) of Soweto are scared of criminals and this system does not protect them. I carry a gun to protect the magogos in Kya Sands.”
Among the voters was Floyd Mothwa of Northriding, who said he voted because it was important. “I vote because it is an important civil duty to do so. I hope government will provide quality education and build more schools,” said Mothwa.
Babalwa Radebe, a Cosmo City resident expressed her frustrations at the culture of toyi-toying in South Africa.
“Government must do the right thing and provide proper service delivery to people so that they will stop toyi-toying,” said Radebe.
As a proud voter Solly Baloyi was all smiles after casting his ballot and said that he voted because he wanted change. “I cannot complain about things and yet not vote. If I want change for my family, I must vote,” he explained holding his son, Tumi.
Warrant Officer Karen Jacobs could comment on the elections queries she said all media queries should be directed to Brigadier Neville Malila. Randburg Sun left the message for Malila, who did not respond up to publishing time.
