Loyalty to the democratic process was a theme among township voters, despite resentment around service delivery. "I will vote until I die. In the grave, if there are elections, I will vote," said Lulamile Khelekethe of Ward 6.
Loyalty to the democratic process was a theme among township voters, despite resentment around service delivery. "I will vote until I die. In the grave, if there are elections, I will vote," said Lulamile Khelekethe of Ward 6.
Khelekethe was happy to cast his vote as he was denied the right to do so during apartheid. Thami Gaika, also from Ward 6, echoed the sentiment: "We were oppressed before, now things have changed. We have to vote. Even if I was in a wheelchair I'd be here."
Although the voting experience was savoured, voters still said that they were disillusioned by the government's lack of commitment to the people.
In Wards 5, 6, and 7, voters expressed frustration towards the lack of housing, water, roads and electricity in the community. "We are voting to get things fixed, our RDP houses are small but at least they are fixing our toilets now," said Moyakazi Ndyayana.
"We want our roads fixed and our toilets are faulty. There are too many problems in our community, we can't even count them all. A lot needs to be done," said Alfred Mtusa. Residents from Extension 9 were primarily concerned with the state of housing. "My house has too many cracks. The doors are falling and water is coming in. Our houses are halls, they have not been divided into rooms," said Gladys Mbhetela.
One man from Extension 4 said that crime was an issue. "We cannot go the shops in the evening. Tsotsis drink and stand there so we cannot leave our homes," said Arthur Notghawa. There were no complaints about the voting process, however. It went like clockwork. Although police presence was minimal, voters felt secure and were not threatened by competing political parties.
"There were no instances of violence or intimidation leading up to the election," said Welcome Matyholweni. Polling stations opened on time and had the necessary materials. A long queue steadily grew outside Samuel Ntsika School in Fingo Village. Roughly 100 people waited patiently to make their mark.
The elderly were offered chairs and formed a separate queue while the youth stood and chatted enthusiastically. People showed pride in exercising their democratic right to vote. "It's my party. I love my party, it does everything I want," Nozizwe Meintjies said.
