Born Free’s vote
PARKTOWN – Millions of South Africans participated in the fifth post-apartheid elections on Wednesday 7 May, Rosebank Killarney Gazette visited the Wits University Education campus voting station.
400 seats in the National Assembly as well new legislatures for the nine provinces are available and some 25 million people will elect the leadership of their choice at 22 264 polling stations around the country.
Thousands of young people, many of them part of the “born-free” generation cast their votes at the station. Although proceedings were peaceful and political tolerance was exercised, police officers were present ensure the station was without major incidents.
It is the first democratic elections without former president Nelson Mandela, who passed away at the age of 95, on 5 December last year at his Houghton home. This after suffering from a recurring and prolonged respiratory infection. He was buried in Qunu, his birth village in the Eastern Cape.
Kiyura Naidoo (19) said she voted because she has a responsibility to this county, “I want to have my say in the way things run. It’s our time now, you want to make a change, you want to put a mark on South Africa and show what it means to you.”
Peter Duncan (58) said his vote meant having a say in the future of the country, “It was very quick, I was surprised at how quick it was. I remember when we used to queue for hours, I think they [IEC] have become more efficient in organising it.”
Vuyolwethu Mahlalela (19) said she read all the parties manifestos, “So I made an informed decision. I voted because I want to see change and I want to have a say in how our country is run. I don’t want to be a spectator.” Nompumelelo Maduna (19) said, “I feel that I made an important decision in waking up to come and vote and placing someone in power who will bring change, hopefully.”
Alex Martin (21) said he chose a party which reflected his views, beliefs and how he wanted to see the country move forward. “It’s everyone’s responsibility to vote, it the only way you can instill the change you want to see in democratic countries, you can’t really do it any other way.”
20-year-old Mncedisi Mavuso said he enjoyed the experience of choosing a political party he agrees with, while Makhosi Lekhuleni (19) said it was exciting to be a first-time voter, “It was a simple process, nothing that I had expected, standing for hours in a long line. In 30minutes I was done,” he said.
Final results and seat allocations for national and provincial legislatures are expected to be announced within seven days of the election by IEC Chief Electoral Officer Mosotho Moepya.
