Video: Voters’ choices boxed
Krugersdorp voters were excited about casting their votes in the fifth democratic elections.
7 May 2014 goes down in the history books as the fifth national democratic elections in South Africa.
The voting stations were open from 7am until 9pm for voters to leave their mark. To to find out why residents voted, news journalists Amoryn Golden and Jacobus Myburgh visited some voting stations where Krugersdorp voters lined up to get their identity documents scanned, stamped and left thumb inked.
Cornelia Oosthuizen (75), a resident of the Witpoortjie Senior Park who voted at Hoërskool Bastion in Mindalore, says she cast her vote as it is her duty to make her mark.
Johan (45) and his wife Charlene (42) say that it is important to vote as it is the only way to ensure a better future for them and their children.
“Every vote counts, even if it feels as if nothing will change if you do make your mark.”
They say they were impressed by the voting process.
“It went really quick – we did not wait that long. It was a case of walking in and out.”
Three generations of the Delate family went to vote at the Kenmare voting station to let their voices be heard.
Layton (43), Tracy (41) and Marie (75) voted in all five the democratic elections and agree that one should vote to be able to make a difference.
“We vote because we are looking for a better future and for the freedom that we have right now to continue,” says Tracy.
Amber (19), a born-free (she was born after the first democratic election of 1994) was excited about making her first cross and says she voted because to her it is a symbol of freedom.
Father and son Dick (67) and Richard Beukes (32) from Kenmare went to make their mark on the ballot papers because they feel they can make a difference.
“We vote for a better life!”
During their visit to voting stations in West Village and central Krugersdorp the news came across more than one voter who took to the polls with the hope to vote out the ANC.
“Since their election as the ruling party, corruption and unemployment have become two major trademarks of the country. I vote for a new leader with the hope to eliminate those issues,” says West Village resident Yvonne Wyngaard (75).
David Mongae who lives in the same area says he votes to see poverty relieved and power given to a party that would provide free education and health services.
Madelein Henning and Hein Crament who voted at Westcol College say they made their mark with the hope to see a new ruling party in Gauteng.
When asked how she decided whom to vote for Rita van Loggerenberg (72) said her criteria were simple.
“The party needs to create jobs, grow the economy and should not steal tax money,” she said outside her polling station at Hoërskool Monument.
Click here to view more photos of Krugersdorp voters.
Video: Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane casts her special vote.
