Excitement written on voters’ faces

South Africans woke up excited in the early hours of Wednesday, August 3 to vote for their favorite political parties during this year’s local government elections. Everything was set and ran accordingly throughout the day.

IEC presiding officer, Rose Thatho-Ntane at Mogobong Primary School said the station opened on time and voting ran smoothly.

Resident Thabise Makhetha expressed his feelings about casting his vote. He said, “I want my vote to bring about the change in my life and of the community I live in. That is why I came to vote. You see our schools are a mess and our streets as well are a big mess. I want to change all that with my vote. Our children have no park to play, that is why we have a lot of accidents. Our hospital (Natalspruit) is too far away from us and it is too small. It does not cater for the whole Kathorus community. With my vote I want a bigger hospital to be built closer to the community of Katlehong.”

Two elderly women, Rammaiki Mahonva and Julia Tladi, who cast their votes in the early hours of the morning, said, “We came to vote because we had to. Actually we are not expecting much. And we don’t care what they do with our votes because a lot of promises have been made and not kept. It is in the culture of politicians to lie if they want our vote.”

An elderly woman, Dina Mdaka, who is physically disabled and in a wheelchair, does not expect a lot with her vote. She said, “With my vote I want our government to take care of people in the same condition as mine. I say this because we can’t work and we have orphans to look after with the little grant money we get. We also have to use it to pay people who help us around. All I want is a little increase in physically disabled people’s grant. That’s all.”

What appeared to be the most common needs for the community was houses, jobs, hospitals and a clinic.

“Houses is what is lacking at the moment. Everyone needs a shelter to sleep in,” said Brenda Refuoe Mdaka.

The person who attracted the eyes of most of the people because of her age, was Gogo Tebello Motaung (101 years old). She said, “I want change. That is why I voted for Mandela (referring to ANC). Mandela (ANC) has done a lot for us. He has increased our pension and we are now paid our grant monthly. Unlike during apartheid when we were paid very little and once after two months. I like the ANC wholeheartedly,” said Gogo Motaung.