Tembisans cast their votes
Despite the strikes taking place in the area, residents in Tembisa and the surrounding areas came out in large numbers to cast their votes last Wednesday.
Most of the voting stations opened on time to allow people to vote.
Police officers from the Tembisa SAPS Cluster worked tirelessly to maintain peace and to prevent illegal marches in the area.
Most of the queues started forming as early as 5am on the day. Despite the fact that the queues moved quickly, the lines grew as more and more residents arrived to cast their vote.
In Ivory Park, Ms Lerato Motaung (21) who was a first time voter, said she was only voting to see a change in her community.
“I hope I will get free bursaries and jobs now that I have voted. I want my voice to be heard,” she said.
Ms Motaung matriculated last year with five distinctions, but failed to get a bursary to further her education. She said she hopes a good Samaritan would come to her rescue so that she could study mechanical engineering.
Ms Kgabo Chokoe, another voter in Ivory Park, said she was happy the day had finally arrived for her to exercise her right to vote.
“Voting is new to me and I am happy to have voted. I voted to see a change in the area,” she said.
In Tembisa, Mr Andrew Lelaka, who has voted in every election since 1994, said that perhaps God will bless the country with fair leaders.
“As a pensioner, I hope we get an increase an RDP houses. I am also hoping that jobs could be created as our people as suffering,” he said.
Ms Tebogo Boshomane said she hoped her vote would make a difference in the country.
“I want to exercise my rights as befitting a democracy. We are celebrating 22 years of democracy but our people are still facing poverty and high unemployment. Some people decided not to vote, which will not help anyone. I believe voting will change the living conditions of South Africans,” she said.
The provincial police spokesperson, Colonel Lungelo Dlamini, said the elections in the Tembisa cluster went well, as there were no illegal strikes reported.
“The police were placed at all the voting stations to prevent any illegal fights or crime. No crime was reported regarding the elections in Tembisa,” he said.
At the time of going to print, The Tembisan was still waiting for the IEC’s response about the elections in Tembisa.
An enquiry was sent to the IEC’s communications department on Thursday last week at 1:58pm.
