Older people speak out on elections
The 2014 national general elections are taking place tomorrow (Wednesday) and, while politicians concentrate on the younger generation, Review asks some of the more senior citizens of the city whether they will let their voices be heard at the polls.
POLOKWANE – The 2014 national general elections are taking place tomorrow (Wednesday) and, while politicians concentrate on the younger generation, Review asks some of the more senior citizens of the city whether they will let their voices be heard at the polls.
Julia Southon says she is registered to vote and, as a Westenburg resident, she believes the community is ready for change.
“I am going to vote because I am unhappy. Apartheid, Apartheid; government blames everything on Apartheid. Whites, Coloureds and Indians are discriminated against. We need more job opportunities. We were living in a peaceful neighbourhood. You could go window shopping after 21:00, but now you can’t anymore. There are thugs everywhere. Teen pregnancy and drug addiction are huge problems. There are not enough recreational facilities, that’s why the children use drugs.”
Jack Jooste says he did not register to vote this year.
“I can’t see that well anymore and I am not sure how I will vote if I can’t see.”
Jooste says corruption must come to an end. “Government officials get away with stealing millions. If I steal a can of fish from a supermarket, I will be sent to prison for five years, but they can steal millions and get away with it.”
Bernadine Manning, Jooste’s neighbour, says she is going to vote as change is needed.
“We need a clinic in Westenburg, proper school facilities and more jobs for minority groups like us Coloureds.”
Manning says she believes one of the reasons that the crime rate is so high is because of illegal immigrants.
“Why are there so many illegal immigrants selling drugs and taking South Africans’ job opportunities? In the old days the border was guarded by the Boers, now there is no one and the taxpayer just keeps paying to transport people back to Zimbabwe.”
JP van Staden says he might not vote in the upcoming elections. “I don’t know who to vote for anymore. I haven’t decided yet, but I don’t think I am going to vote this time.”
CM Errol says she is registered to vote and will definitely go to the polls. “We have to vote, it is for our children and grandchildren.”
Kitty Olivier and Marie Oosthuizen say they will vote if they have transport to the voting stations.
“Yes we will vote if somebody comes to pick us up. We are old and we don’t have transport,” says Olivier.
Olivier says she is registered to vote and will try her best to do so.
“We will definitely have to vote. It is our duty to vote,” adds Oosthuizen.
