Germiston residents head to the polls to make their mark
GCN speaks to residents as they cast their votes in the 2019 elections.
The atmosphere was alive with anticipation and excitement as Germiston voters took to the polls along with the rest of the country on Wednesday.
The sixth democratic national and provincial elections saw thousands of Germiston residents make their mark for their country.
The GCN was out and about in the city, visiting voting stations and talking to community members about their experiences at the polls.
Voting fever hit the city last Monday as those who had applied for special votes visited their voting stations or were paid visits by IEC officials.
#IMadeMyMark: Elsburg community comes out to vote
Special voting continued last Tuesday and many elderly members of the community shared their views on voting.
Michael Short, a pensioner living at Germiston Association for the Aged (GAFA) Protea Old Age Home, told the GCN he voted because he wanted to give the government direction for the next five years.
Ninety-five-year-old Johannes van Heerden, who has never missed a general election since he started voting in 1948, was among nine residents at Elandsvallei Home for the Age who made their mark.
“We all have a say in where the government leads, and voting gives us that voice to say who we want in power,” said Johannes.
“Yes, many promises are made during campaigns, politicians are all liars, but we have to vote, and be careful who we choose when we vote.”
#IMadeMyMark: Elspark residents flock to the polls to vote in 2019 elections
Election Day, on Wednesday, dawned chilly and windy, but this did not dampen people’s eagerness to exercise their democratic right to vote.
Voting stations were abuzz across Germiston.
Everything ran smoothly at Dinwiddie High School.
To help speed up the process, queuing residents had their IDs scanned before entering the school, after which they were split alphabetically into two lines.
Germiston SAPS were on scene to ensure no incidents occurred.
ALSO READ: #IMadeMyMark: Voting goes full steam ahead in Tedstoneville in 2019 elections
The Elsburg Town Hall was abuzz with activity and excited residents queued at the busy centre.
The GCN chatted to a number of people who said the process had gone well, with no problems.
“Everything was very good, with no problems.
“I went in, we had quick service and I made my mark,” said Alexander de Kock.
“It is important for people to vote to ensure the future of the country.”
Many residents of Elspark and its surrounding areas visited School of Achievement to vote.
Voting ran smoothly at the station and the atmosphere was one of excitement as people exercised their right to vote.
ALSO READ: #IMadeMyMark: Lambton residents cast their votes
The Lutheran Church in Parkhill Gardens, an IEC designated voting station, was alive with activity and the GCN spoke to several residents as they left the church, after casting their votes.
Khutjo Manyashi was happy to have cast her vote.
“I cast my vote here in Lambton,” Manyashi said.
“Everything went smoothly and I am happy I voted.”
Duncan and Monique Wilson also cast their votes at the Lutheran Church.
“Everything ran smoothly and the queues moved quite swiftly,” Duncan said.
Anvis Maruga was happy she had cast her vote, when the GCN spoke to her outside the church, “Everything went well,” she said.
Dewald Nel and Lud-Marie Menge were also among the residents to cast their votes at the church.
Nel commented that everything had gone well, “The IEC officials performed their duties quite efficiently,” he said.
“It was just a cold morning, but we are glad we were able to make a difference.”
Menge, who voted for the second time, commented on the ballot papers being longer than the last time she voted.
“We did our duty,” she said.
ALSO READ: #IMadeMyMark: All systems go at Dinwiddie High School
The little temporary voting tent set up in Gans Street in Tedstoneville also saw a brisk trade of residents all eager to make their mark and have their say in the government of the country.
People were pleased with the efficiency of the voting process.
IEC officials stationed at Wychwood Primary School had an expectancy of 2 730 voters, among them was an eager Samuel Ncayiyana, who said, “Voting gives me a voice and the ability to choose who I want to see leading the country.”
At Primrose Hill Primary School, 1 369 voters were expected and 7 000 voters were on the voters’ roll at Fire of God Ministries International in the Makause informal settlement.
Despite waiting over an hour for IEC material to be delivered, many residents of Makause informal settlement endured the long queues to drop their votes in ballot boxes to choose their future leaders.
“Though voters were impatient in the morning as they had started queuing while we were still setting up, things settled down once we opened the doors to start the voting process and were able to redeem ourselves in delivering an efficient process,” said Anna Zondo, the IEC presiding officer at Fire of God Ministries International.
Germiston, Primrose and Elsburg SAPS said there were no incidents during the voting process.
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