The belting sun and long queues did not deter voters on the North Coast who came out in numbers to make their mark in the 2019 National Elections on Wednesday.
While some voting stations were relatively quiet this morning, things quickly picked up with some people having to wait over an hour before reaching the voting room.
Despite the wait, IEC officials were well prepared for the busy day with a number of voters commending the good service.
Take a look at some of the pictures from the various voting stations visited by our journalists this morning:
Sizani Combined
Craig, Tash and baby Taylor Olivia Naicker.
Ben and Margie van Lelyveld from Vereeniging were able to cast their vote while on holiday in Ballito.
Giulio and Fabio Bertolli waiting for mom to cast her vote.
Election staff Layton Veeraragulu working hard to get residents ready to vote.
Election staff Nonhle Dlangwane, Ntombifikile Ngiba and Bavumile Nzuza taking a break from the morning rush.
Cindy Bengane making sure all the ballot papers are stamped and ready for the voters.
Emily and her daughter Charlotte Smithers.
Brenda Salinger and Yvonne Stone were delighted once they had cast their vote.
Stock Photo
Lethiwe Ndlazi scans the voters’ ID books before they move on to their voting rooms in 2019. (File Photo used for illustrative purposes)
Lindsay and Shaun Smith with their sons Blake and Luke who came along for the exciting experience.
Once ID’s had been scanned, it was time to queue again.
Kgomotso Makakase waiting in line to cast her vote.
Ronny Samsundar has his ID scanned by Lethiwe Ndlazi.
The queue at Sizani Combined stretched all the way down to the main gate.
Douglas Naidoo proudly shows his inked thumb after casting his vote.
Umdloti Clinic
Nic, Lila and Jade Roberts are making their mark.
Dawie and Gillian van der Merwe standing in the queue with Khanyisiwe Mbambo.
Adam and Anna-Marie Botha.
Delia van Rensburg, Elpha Muller, Tienie van Rensburg, Bruce Deeb and Nicolas Anamourlis.
Westbrook and Tongaat
Lutchmee Moodley and Keveshen Govender.
Thengezakhe Zulu and deputy presiding officer Shaheel Ramcharan
From left (back) presiding officer Eshara Pillay, Fezile Biyela, (front) Evita Khoza and Bindu Bhoodhoo.
An elderly voter gets assistance to the special tent set up to avoid the queues
Catherine De Lange and baby Abby come out early to cast her vote
An election official places the small ink mark on voters thumbnail.
The electoral ink placed on the thumbnail.
IEC official marking a voters finger
Busisiwer Mathathini from the department of community safety observes proceedings at Shakas Head voting station.
Voters arrive in high numbers to cast their votes in the national and provincial election.
A separate queue is set up to accommodate the elderly who came out early to cast their vote
Lindelani, KwaDukuza town hall and Tinley Manor Primary
Vela Mathonsi delighted to cast his vote at Tinley Manor Primary School in 2019.
Zethu Goqo proud to be one of the thousands KwaDukuza residents who voted.
Khanyisile casting her vote at Lindelani Extension 36 Hall.
Sfiso Ndlela proud to cast his vote at the Lindelani Extension 36 Hall.
Gogo Tshangase getting his finger inked at the Lindelani Extension 36 Hall.
Ntobeko proud to be one of the many residents who voted at the KwaDukuza Town Hall.
Thobile Mbonambi after casting her vote at the KwaDukuza Town Hall.
1st time voters, Nokuthula and Nqobile Mtshali at the KwaDukuza Town Hall.
Abdullah MoyoCampbell after voting at the KwaDukuza Town Hall.
Townsend Park in Ballito
IEC officials Nqobile Mhlaba, Xolo Makhoba and Nonhlanhla Mkhwakhwathi.
A steady stream of voters at Townsend Park voting station this morning.
IEC official Nomthandazo Gwayi watches over the Van Wyk family as they cast their votes: Mom Kelly and dad Rudy with Jayden (9), Katelyn (3) and Liam (7) in 2019.
Emma and Lucy (3) Orford are all smiles.
Roy Govender casts his vote.
Lauren and Kurt Hoffman with Taylor (11 months) were proud to make their mark.
Houda Abiet casts her vote at Townsend Park in Ballito while IEC official Mercy Mhlaba looks on.
Aliki Edgcumbe made her mark!
IEC official Nomthandazo Gwayi with voter Xodwa Mtshali.
North Coast Courier managing director Pieter Naude casts his vote with IEC official Nomthandazo Gwayi looking on.
Mother and daughter Corrie and Change McPherson.
WIN!
Don’t forget to enter our Facebook competition, where you can stand a chance of winning one of five restaurant vouchers! Visit our Facebook page and enter by posting a photo of your inked thumb, or a funky selfie, in the comment section of the competition post. Good luck!
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