Many Centurion voters who had been standing in long queues since as early as 06:00 Monday morning to vote at 07:00 could only start voting at 08:30.
It nevertheless could not dampen residents’ enthusiasm to cast their votes and many expressed their opinions.
Jan Viljoen (62) from Hennops Park said it was important that people vote to ensure a future for generations to come.
“I hope people vote for the correct party today,” he said.
Viljoen said their “DA ward councillor, Peter Sutton, is on the ball and I am very satisfied with his work”.
“I would, however, like to see a vast improvement in service delivery, especially streetlights, potholes, the replacement of stop signs when damaged and keeping the grass on the river banks under control. Everything is in a state of neglect and something needs to be done about that,” Viljoen said.
Viljoen said he was also concerned about burglaries in his area and would like to see crime figures, in general, going down.
“We are also sick and tired of corruption,” Viljoen said.
Natasha Prinsloo (28) from Zwartkop said she would appreciate it if ward councillors could get more residents involved in the community.
“Mind you, if they could just pitch to cast their votes, that would already help a lot,” Prinsloo said.
“I hope people vote correctly today to bring about the change we need to see.”
She said she wanted to use her vote to bring about that change.
“I believe if you don’t vote you can’t complain. And at this stage I believe any improvement in service delivery would be of great help for community members,” Prinsloo said.
“I participate in elections to ensure a better future for our kids,” said Liam Isaacs (27) from Zwartkop.
Isaacs said she expected ward councillors to help residents when they face problems with service delivery, especially in respect of issues and challenges we experience with basic services such as water and electricity.
“I am very concerned about the current situation regarding water and electricity,” Isaacs said.
“Like everyone else here today I believe we are here to vote to bring about the change we all want to see,” said Jabu Nkosi (33) from Hennops Park.
She said she would especially like to see improvement in the areas of employment, crime, service delivery, education and equality.
Tiaan Harris (26) from Eldoraigne said contributing to changing South Africa “starts with your vote”.
“I believe we must ensure the future that we desire, for the next generation. Every citizen has that responsibility. If you don’t vote, you cannot complain,” Harris said.
Colin Cloete (54) from Bronberrick said he would appreciate “a more integrated society”.
“The change I would like to see in our country and local elections is a greater focus on our youth. People in positions of leadership should address unemployment among the youth,” Cloete said.
He also said that people must vote because it is a democratic right, which many people had been denied for a long time in our country.
“Use your voice by using your vote to be active in our political dispensations, don’t be passive,” Cloete said.
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Caxton Local Media tells readers what they must know on the practicalities of voting, and provides information regarding the right and duty to vote. Where necessary, we de-bunk mis- and disinformation relating to elections.
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