#IMadeMyMark: Sebenza CPF chair talks about his first voting experience
“We were unable to sleep the night before the elections. We were singing and dancing all night long, and in the morning shared coffee before heading to the polls.”
Community leader Andrew Mosesi shared his previous election experiences in the lead-up to May 8.
Also read: #IMadeMyMark: Seniors shares words of wisdom for May 8
Mosesi currently holds office as the Sebenza CPF chairperson and the Community Police Board Chairperson of the Ekurhuleni North Cluster.
Like most South Africans, he voted for the first time in 1994.
Mosesi said his first encounter at the voting polls was on April 27 in Tembisa.
“I had just finished my matric and started my first job in a bank that year,” he said.
The youth of Tembisa had a night vigil the day before election day.
Also read: A FREE AND FAIR ELECTION
“We were unable to sleep the night before the elections. We were singing and dancing all night long and in the morning we shared coffee before heading to the polls.”
He said the atmosphere was filled with mixed emotions.
“We were about to do something that people died for,”said Mosesi.
“When the voting stations opened, I couldn’t wait to go and experience the process.
“We had seen a dummy ballot paper on the television, and the only way we could mirror voting was from the Western programmes we had watched,” he said.
Since 1994 Mosesi has voted in all the elections, and believes in being an active citizen in his community.
“I will never forfeit an opportunity to vote.”
Mosesi described his voting experience over the years as well organised.
“My experience has improved every time I go to vote, and the technology has improved. The IEC has done a good job of remaining independent,” he said.
A worrisome observation the Sebenza CPF chairperson made is how fewer people look forward to voting.
“Excitement for the first three elections was high, but it has dwindled,” he said.
He longs for South Africa to come to a standstill on voting day so that everybody can go and vote.
“My wish is for things that can wait to wait. Shops and taverns can close for one day to allow people to go and vote.”
“It is extremely important to go out and make your mark,” he said.
His message to people who do not intend to vote was to reach out.
“People who don’t intend to vote should ask community leaders, activists and other active voters, what the benefits of voting are.
“They should also look around and ask themselves if they will have the same things they have now in future if they don’t give any party a mandate to fix or continue doing the right things.”
He said the youth have no excuse not to vote.
“No one under the age of 40 has an excuse not to vote.”
His message to community members is that they remember their vote is confidential, to believe in the rule of law and exercise their right to vote.
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