They vote for better life

POLOKWANE – Yesterday (Wednesday) residents joined millions of South Africans to cast their votes in the national and provincial elections.

Review spoke to residents to find out what they sought to gain by voting yesterday.

Johannes Thobana said he was retired, but because he did not get a grant, he was forced to sell flash drives for a living so that he could help to provide money to put his three children through school.

“I am from the Makotopong area and there are no clinics; the nearest social worker is at Turfloop, which is too far for me to travel. My one leg is deformed and, because I don’t have a car, I struggle to travel. I have to pay taxi fees every day for my children to go to school and back because there is also still no school in our area. I want my vote to make life better for us and our children.”

Susan Coetzee said she wanted her vote to bring peace for all South Africans and also ensure South Africans could live together in harmony as one nation.

“We should not have racial hatred among us and we as South Africans should learn how to live together. I would also want my vote to guarantee that an end be put to farm murders as it is vital for the country’s agricultural sector,” Coetzee added.

Fanie Mathabatha said he travel-led on the Steelpoort road every day and the road was in terrible condition.

“Since about 2010 this road has seriously degraded. What started as small potholes, now look like small swimming pools. There are a lot of trucks on this road and accidents happen regularly. I want my vote to provide for better road maintenance and, as a voter, I want roads to be fixed accordingly. There is a dangerous crossing on the Jane Furse road. It would be nice if something was done to regulate traffic there like they have done with the traffic circles at the crossings on the Mankweng road,” he said.

Balanangani Tshikhudo said he was from Venda and lived in Polokwane with the hope of finding some form of employment. He said he wanted his vote to guarantee job creation, as well as better service delivery.

Hendrik Venter also agreed that his vote should guarantee him and fellow South Africans a government that would provide better job creation. He said many roads needed a lot of maintenance.

“There are still people who do not have electricity. I would like to see my vote guarantee a better electricity supply for the future that is maintained continuously so that we don’t have electricity shortages, which cost the economy millions of rands, again,” Venter said.