Live: Western Cape voters demand service delivery as ballot casting continues
A community outreach couple and two elderly friends relying on walking aids turned out to cast their ballots with appeals for integrity.
Update at 15:33
Operations quickly stabilised into an organised and calm voting environment despite an initial technical delay when voting systems encountered brief early hurdles at the Hornlee Community Hall in Knysna.
Knysna-Plett Herald reports that among those casting their ballots were Sorelda and Lionel Groenewald who arrived together to vote in their third election as a married couple. The couple, active in community outreach through feeding schemes for vulnerable youth and mothers, emphasised that their vote is an appeal for integrity from incoming municipal leadership.
“Everything should not be based on promises or personal interests, but on what is best for Greater Knysna,” Sorelda said.
Beyond immediate service delivery priorities, including job creation for youth and targeted protection for neglected elderly residents, she underscored the need for representatives who place community welfare ahead of coalition power plays.
Reebok friends stand firm
Age and physical pain failed to deter lifelong voters Elmarie Swanepoel-Oosthuizen (80) and Petro Basson (68) who arrived outside the Reebok Community Hall in Mossel Bay at 06:30 to cast their ballots.
According to Mossel Bay Advertiser, Swanepoel-Oosthuizen, recovering from surgery, relied on a walker fitted with a seat, while Basson – enduring severe pain following a knee replacement – leaned on a cane.
“I offered her my seat so I could stand for a bit, but she refused!” laughed Swanepoel-Oosthuizen.
“No, because you can’t stand for long either!” Basson retorted.
The pair emphasised their conviction that casting a ballot remains a vital civic responsibility.
“It is very important to us, because we want to see progress in our country.”
Home visit for Kleinkrantz community champion
For Kevin Jones (47), widely known as the ‘mayor of Kleinkrantz’, taking part in the local government elections meant having democracy arrive at his front door.
Jones, who lives with motor neurone disease that severely limits his physical mobility, cast his special ballot ahead of election day when IEC officials and a police escort visited his home.
While expressing deep appreciation for the visiting IEC team, Jones told George Herald that there is a need for broader accessibility reforms:
“The IEC workers did an amazing job – well done to them. The police officer was always smiling. I voted, but I still needed help from a family member. If we can improve the system, like voting online, it would be great for many disabled people.”
A driving force in his community, Jones previously ran a local gardening business employing five people and has actively spearheaded neighbourhood watches, clean-ups and animal welfare outreach from his motorised wheelchair. For him, the vote carries concrete municipal expectations: Proper road resurfacing instead of repeated patching, beach bins to protect marine life, park upgrades and a dedicated, sheltered meeting space where elderly and disabled residents can gather safely.
Update at 12:14
Concerns have surfaced at the Van Kervel voting station in George after a resident, Alet Grobler, reported issues regarding voter roll verification and voting procedures early this morning (November 4).
According to George Herald, Grobler stated that when she arrived at 07:00, officials were initially unable to locate her name on the voters’ roll, and claimed that although scanning her identity document allowed her to cast her ballot, her thumb was not marked with indelible ink.
According to Grobler, at least two other women experienced the same issue:
“There was already a queue. Another woman and an elderly lady were also not on the roll, and they followed the same procedure. Their thumbs were also not marked. The officials seemed a bit in disarray and I did not see any ink on the table. On my way out, I complained to the political parties’ representatives outside. This raises serious concerns.”
Grobler noted that despite the issue at the station, she later checked the IEC website and confirmed her details appear on the voters’ roll. The George office of the IEC confirmed it is aware of the complaint and stated the matter has been addressed, with further feedback from the IEC’s communications team pending.
Southern Cape round-up
Reports from across the Southern Cape indicate voting has largely been peaceful, marked by long queues, minor technical glitches, and eager voters:
- George: In Wilderness, conditions remained quiet around 07:00, whereas early queues formed outside stations in Denneoord and Pacaltsdorp. At Kidstop in Borcherds, initial electronic glitches were swiftly resolved. Presiding officer Monchesray King noted that lines remained manageable, anticipating peak turnout during early morning and late afternoon commuter hours.
- Mossel Bay: High voter turnout resulted in long queues across Mossel Bay Central, Heiderand, Reebok and Dana Bay. Voting in Dana Bay commenced slightly later than anticipated, while delays were also reported at the D’Almeida Community Hall, where voters had been waiting since 07:00.
- Knysna: Voting proceeded peacefully with a steady stream of residents arriving throughout the morning at Sunridge Primary, Hornlee Community Centre, Knysna Town Hall, the NG Church Hall, Masifundi Library, and Chris Nissen School. No incidents were reported, with music at certain stations lending a relaxed atmosphere.
- Riversdale: Voting kicked off smoothly with early queues and no notable disruptions, as residents turned out in high spirits to cast their ballots.
Published at 09:46
Voting stations across the Western Cape are open and voting is underway.
Caxton Network News is monitoring developments across the province as citizens cast their ballots.
Journalists from Caxton’s sister publication George Herald have been visiting voting stations since early this morning to keep readers updated on proceedings.
According to the newspaper, voting thus far appears to be running smoothly, with no incidents reported at this stage.
Another Group Editors publication, the Knysna-Plett Herald, posted a video yesterday of its editor, Wyndham Ewerts, encouraging residents to vote.
Watch the video:
The Oudtshoorn Courant posted on Facebook page that while some voting stations started the day relatively quietly, long queues formed early at venues such as Fezikele High School and the De Jager Sports Complex.
Voting stations in several neighbourhoods were still fairly quiet at about 07:00, while voters in Bongolethu started queuing before 07:00.
Political parties were at their stalls outside the voting stations early in the morning, where electoral officials were described as helpful and accessible to the media.
Voters who have yet to collect their identity documents have been given extra time, with the Department of Home Affairs extending operating hours at its offices.
According to The Witness, offices will remain open until 21:00 on Election Day to coincide with Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) voting hours.
The extended hours aim to ensure voters have an opportunity to collect their identity documents or obtain temporary identity certificates to cast their ballots.
Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.
Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
Read original story on www.citizen.co.za
