ElectionsResults2024: Voters want change, youth urged to make their voice heard

As thousands of Boksburg residents flocked to their respective polling stations on May 29, the Boksburg Advertiser was out and about talking to voters who shared their voting experiences and expressed some changes they expect their votes to translate into.

Many said they wanted leaders who are committed and determined to build a better life for all. Their top concerns included load-shedding, high rate of unemployment, crime, corruption and poor service delivery.

Meanwhile, young voters, who spoke about the responsibility of participating in the country’s democratic process, told the Advertiser their key issues are education, jobs and crime, and they urged their peers to use elections as a tool to make their voices heard.

FIRST-TIME VOTERS MARK THEIR X

• Witfield’s Jessica Lombart (19), who cast her vote at Wit Deep Primary, said while she felt the voting process was a bit long, she was very happy to have taken the time to exercise her democratic right.
“I am voting to make a difference. The changes I want to see are the end of load-shedding and water outages, as these disrupt businesses, negatively impacting our economy. As a psychology student at the NWU, when I finish my studies, I do not want to come back and be part of the unemployment stats.“

• Matimu Shivambu of Angelo informal settlement, who voted at a church in the settlement, said she hopes the elections will bring the better life that people in her neighbourhood have been waiting for the past 30 years.
“Our community is not in good condition. We need a better life, like other South Africans, a safe community with better roads, houses with electricity, taps and a proper sanitation system.
“As young girls staying in a squatter camp, we battle to acquire basic needs and battle to study at home during the evenings because we do not have electricity.
“I also hope the government will create an environment conducive for investors to create job opportunities for locals so that when I finish my studies, I can find a job.”

• Chanel de Villiers of Witfield, who cast her vote at Wit Deep Primary, said she was aware of the power of her X and believes her vote will bring change.
“I am glad I could vote today. All youngsters should make their voices heard; make a change for all of us.”

• In Delmore Gardens, Siphesihle Letlotlo (23) cast his first vote at the Varsity Kids Daycare Centre and shared his enthusiasm: “I am excited to be voting for the first time. I hope my vote can contribute to the changes I want to see in our country. I have been an NSFAS beneficiary for the past two years and have been experiencing difficulties with late payments, which is the primary reason I cast my vote. I am eager to see positive change.“
Letlolo added although he was anxious about the outcome of his experience, it was a positive one.

• Njabulo Ramashala, a first-time voter who made her mark at the Atlasville Tennis Club, said voting felt empowering.
“I wish for a more transparent government, an improved education system and decent shelters for people in dire need,” she said.

South Africa election results 2024

EMPTY PROMISES

• Alwyn Nel and his wife, Dina, voted at Witfield Primary and said the process was good, and he commended the IEC.
“We are expecting change and hope those who win will run the country in a Godly, honest and righteous way that will benefit the nation, especially in service delivery. Instead of wasting time with idle talk, we want to see delivery take place and see the country achieve what it is capable of achieving.”

• Thina Letswale of Angelo informal settlement said he felt compelled to exercise his right to vote as he was tired of his community living like pigs and with empty promises.
“Even today, the pathways are flooded with wastewater from the shacks because we do not have proper sanitation. It is painful because we keep voting, but no government seems to care about our social issues. Nothing has changed since the end of apartheid. With our broken hearts, we request that those we vote into power remember us, too. We wish to have our area re-blocked for permanent serviced stands.“

• Zanele Sibisi, also of Angelo, agreed about the terrible conditions and said the scourge of crime is out of control – and it has been left to residents to deal with, without support from authorities.
“Today we are voting for change. We need safe electricity, water, proper roads and sewerage systems, skills empowerment and job opportunities because the majority of people here are unemployed.”

• MJ de Villiers of Witfield, who came with his family to cast their votes at Wit Deep Primary, said while the voting process went smoothly with a great turnout, they hoped their X would translate to a better South Africa for all.
“We hope for change, and we hope for a better future for all in South Africa.

• Johannes Nailana of Angelo said he has been staying in the informal settlement for over 23 years and had voted at least three times in the general elections but is still yet to see change. However, he is still hoping this election can help with the sad living conditions, growing unemployment, and the crime that has riddled their neighbourhood with murders, rapes and robberies almost every week.
“We are suffering. We need a better place that is safe. There is too much crime here. We are crying for help so that we can also improve our lives and stop the suffering.”

• Laura Mathys of Witfield, who voted at a church in Main Street, bemoaned the delays in the voting process and said she hoped the new government would do away with load-shedding.

• At Boksburg City Stadium, early birds Luke and Shereen Powell from Parkrand emphasised their commitment to the nation’s future.
“We wanted to be among the first to vote, to do our part in shaping the direction of the nation. The issues we have in Parkrand are getting worse by the day, especially the roads. Our expectations are for these issues to be resolved.

POSITIVE EXPERIENCE

• Anton van Niekerk, who voted at Laerskool Concordia, described it as an amazing experience to make his mark.
“I am proud to exercise my democratic right,” he said.

• Willem Engelbrecht, who made his mark at Laerskool Westwood, said it was the best voting experience he ever had.
“I had been voting at this polling station for the last six or seven elections. I never missed an opportunity to make my mark because every vote counts. I hope my vote will help improve the country,” he said.

HOPE AND DISILLUSIONMENT

• In Jerusalema informal settlement, Masedi Mapitlala, who cast his vote at Salema Jerusalema Church, illustrated the mix of past disillusionment and newfound hope that characterised this election.
Having abstained from voting since 2009 because of unmet promises, Mapitlala decided to vote this year, inspired by a party manifesto that resonated with his expectations for change.
“I cast my vote because I am tired of the ANC and its empty promises. I stopped voting after 2009. I could not see any changes until I decided to vote this year because I had hope. I had read the manifesto of the party that I voted for, and their manifesto appealed to me. I believe they are the rightful party to lead the country,” he said.
“The ANC made numerous promises to us, including providing proper sanitation, RDP housing, and running water as basic necessities. However, even after 25 years of living in Jerusalema, we still lack access to these essential services.”

The first person to cast their vote at Laerskool Witfield this morning was Gerrie Pretorius, who arrived at the polling station at 04:30!

Early voters Corné Boshoff and his mother-in-law Ina Nel leaving the Witfiled polling station after casting their votes.

Keorapetse Kobue, a ballot paper issuer from Delmore Gardens.

South Africa election results 2024