Samkelo Mncibi (18, Boksburg High School voting station): I am registering to vote for the first time because I believe my vote will help make the country a better place. I will be voting for the party that will help reduce the unemployment rate and fight crime.
First-time voters took advantage of the voter registration weekend on November 18 and 19, saying they are keen to exercise their right to vote because they want change.
One voter (54) said he has been exercising his right to vote since 1994. A young person said he will not vote for the first time next year because he doesn’t believe voting will bring the necessary change.
Ntokozo Shabangu (18, Bopang Kgotso Primary School voting station, Vosloorus): I was encouraged to register to vote by my mother. She told me about the importance of voting. I will vote for a party that will stop the electricity and unemployment crises.Katlego Modibane (29, Bopang Kgotso Primary School voting station, Vosloorus): I didn’t previously see the importance of voting. However, today I registered for the first time because I believe I can’t sit back and leave my country to experience the problems it is facing while I have the power to change it with my vote.Sipho Nhlapo (54, Bopang Kgotso Primary School voting station, Vosloorus): I have been voting since 1994. During apartheid, we were not offered this opportunity. I always vote. It is important.Kamohelo Sello (21, Bopang Kgotso Prmary school voting Station): I am registering to vote. I want to cast my vote for a party that will reduce the unemployment rate. My vote matters, and I understand that.Thato Ntshala (19, Bopang Kgotso Primary School voting station, Vosloorus): I am registering because I want to vote to change my living conditions. It is important for the citizens of SA to cast their vote. You can’t change your living conditions without voting first. It all starts with voting.Daluxolo Maqiwa (21, Bopang Kgotso Primary School voting station, Vosloorus): It’s my first time registering to vote. I want to vote to drive change in the country. I think voting is important and more young people should be exercising this right. There is a high unemployment rate, so I want to vote for a party that will reduce the unemployment rate and increase social grants.Lindokuhle Ngashe (18, Parkdene Primary School voting station): I’m not going to register to vote because I don’t believe voting will bring the necessary change. The politicians are making empty promises. The youth are unemployed and ravaged by drugs. Our leaders are not doing enough to curb the issues we have as ordinary people.Katlego Msimango (20, Bopang Kgotso Primary School voting station): I have registered to vote for the first time today. I was encouraged by an elderly person in my community to exercise my right to vote. When I vote next year, I am voting for a party that will work for all the people.Lelethu Hlumkeza (23, Bopang Kgotso Primary School voting station, Vosloorus): I’m registering for the first time. I’m keen to vote. I want to vote for a party that will bring change for young people. We are unemployed. I will vote for the party that will change our circumstances as young people.
