Local news
Freedom Day: Durbanites share their first voting experiences
Two Durbanites, one a born-free, share their first voting experiences this Freedom Day,
Freedom Day, one of the most significant public holidays in South African history, takes place today (April 27).
The day is a commemoration of the first democratic elections which was held in South Africa on 27 April 1994.
With the country’s seventh national election around the corner, we asked our readers about their first voting experience.
Diana du Plooy looks back at her first voting experience in 1994 at Stella Football Club in Glenwood Park where she and thousands of other South Africans gathered to vote for the first time.
“Even though there was a long queue of all different cultures there was a wonderful feeling of excitement and hope in the air,” she said.
Matthew Brackenbury, a born-free (1995) said his first time voting was more of a formality as he had followed politics all his life and didn’t have much hope.
“I thought “what a waste of time since there’s no way any party can win against the majority”.
However, there’s something special about waiting in that queue amongst South Africans of all colours and cultures – makes you feel like you actually have an impact,” he said.
“The lady was super friendly and she helped me quite a bit since it was my first time voting and I was quite nervous. Being deaf, I had to explain to her that I couldn’t hear what some of the IEC people were saying to me and she stepped around and helped me through the whole process. Felt really “cool” in a way – having the mark on my thumb to show everyone that I was a responsible citizen,” he said.
In this year’s national election, KwaZulu Natal has the highest number of voting stations, 4 974 to be exact. If you are registered to vote, make sure you get to your voting station on May 29 between 07.00 and 21.00. Your vote is your voice.
For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook , X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
