Thousands of voters are casting their ballots and exercising their constitutional right to vote in the seventh national and provincial election on May 29.

Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink cast his vote at the Laspossie Kleuterskool in Wapadrand east of Pretoria.

He said it’s important to vote as this is a historic election for the country.

“A lot rests on the outcome of these elections.

“Don’t lose the opportunity and don’t be one of those that aren’t part of the decision-making process,” said Brink.

Residents casting their ballots at the Rietondale High School voting station waited patiently in what so far has been a smooth voting process.

Nhlanhla Skosana accompanied Noxolo Skosana to her first time voting. She said they believed they were well informed of what the process would be like.

“We knew what was in store,” said Nhlanhla.

“We waited for over an hour, but it is moving smoothly.

“When I got here, I saw the police vans outside. I like that there is visibility at the voting station,” she said.

Ofentse Tefo said she wanted to make her vote matter by being informed of who she wanted to cast her votes for.

“I did a lot of research because it is my first time voting.

“I think it is important to have a right to have a say what happens in our country,” she said.

Daniel Joubert and Ivan Ferreira were also excited to have voted.

“The process was smooth once you enter the voting station, but we waited for over three hours in line to vote.”

Claudia Grobler accompanied Leah van Wyk to the voting station for her first time voting.

“It is the worst thing to queue alone, especially on your first voting opportunity,” said Grobler.

“I remember feeling so nervous, you have no idea what it will be like.”

Van Wyk said she was happy with her first election process.

“It is interesting that they have the new ballot, but it made sense when I saw it. The voting process was easy enough.

“Luckily, there was so much information available online, so we knew exactly how it was going to work.”

Voters from different communities in Pretoria North queued at North Angelo’s College on the cold morning to cast their votes in the 2024 National Elections.

Resident Eddy Maluleke said he arrived at the voting station at 07:00.

“When I arrived here, there was already a long line and that makes me happy because it means people have been waiting for this moment for a long time.

“I am very happy to cast my vote and I voted for a party that I know will make changes for us,” said Maluleke.

Gugulethu Ndhlovu said the party that is going to rule the country must prioritise youth employment.

“Employment is what’s going to motivate a lot of youngsters to continue with their studies because nowadays it’s useless to go to varsity and then wait for years with your qualification,” said Ndhlovu.

Rooney Ramabeshela weighed in on how Pretoria North had become a drug hotspot, attributing it to poverty.

“Drugs are a problem in this community. All residents must be able to root out crime because we have criminals living in our backyards and yet we protect them.

“Those who sell these drugs are going to tell you that they are jobless and the government is not giving them any job, so they resort to sell them.

“That mentality is unacceptable, being jobless doesn’t mean you must do crime…they must be arrested and go to jail,” said Ramabeshela.

Philip Kruger had misgivings about whether there would be positive change after the elections.

“It’s been 30 years since the country was declared as a democratic country but even today, people are still calling for change.

“We vote because we want change and people must do the right thing so that we can all benefit,” said Kruger.

ALSO READ:LIVE UPDATES | National Elections 2024 

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