Voting in the north of Pretoria
Thousands flocked to voting stations in the north of Pretoria waiting in endlessly long queues waiting patiently to make their mark.
While many voting stations in the north of Pretoria experience no hitches, some people had to wait more than two hours with a few stations experiencing minor problems.
No matter what challenges arose during voting day on Wednesday, thousands of residents in the north of the Magaliesberg were determined to make their cross.
Hundreds of people were up at the crack of dawn waiting at Hoërskool Montana with queues stretching around the corner and people waiting up to two hours to cast their vote.
Maxine Erasmus, a so-called born free, said she waited two hours to finally cast her very first vote.
Erasmus’ boyfriend, Jared Amorim, also a born free who voted for the first time, said he feels it is important to vote.
“If you do not vote, then you do not get the opportunity to complain about problems in your country,” Amorim said.
Nthombi Skhosana, who also waited in the long queue at Hoërskool Montana said she believes it is important to cast your vote at each and every election.
Skhosana, who voted for the first time since 1994, said she voted so that she can ensure a better future for the next generation.
Councillor Marnette Sutherland said she made her cross on Wednesday because change can only come from a ballot box.
“Each and every vote counts. You vote a party in, not power, and your vote can remove that party,” Sutherland said.
Corrie van den Berg, who voted at Laerskool Magalieskruin, said she was very impressed with the fast and professional manner the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) handled the voting station.
Van den Berg said she was in and out after an hour.
Unfortunately voting did not run as smoothly at Pretoria North City Hall where according to officials ballot papers that arrived late, delayed voting for almost an hour.
Elliot Wagner, who had to wait more than two hours said he was dissapointed in the way the IEC handled the problem.
“No one came to tell us what the problem was, which made people uneasy,” Wagner said.
He added it was the fast response and help of Captain Y Naidoo from the SAPD who helped speed up the process.
“Captain Naidoo was our hero here today. She helped with the organisation, which soon got things back on track.”
According to Sutherland other problems arose further north with queues at voting stations located by Laerskool Theresapark and Laerskool Akasia that was apparently very long.
Anette and Johan Müller, who cast their vote early on Wednesday also at Hoërskool Montana, excitedly told Rekord on their way home, that it is an honour to cast yet another vote in this year’s election.
“It is wonderful to see that people don’t just sit on the sidelines anymore, they come in masses to have their voices heard. It truly makes us happy,” the couple said.
