Voting Goes Smoothly in Sosh

Sthembiso Sithole

Ntate Selalale was the first to vote.

In the news we have been hearing a lot about the hotly contested ares such as Port Elizabeth, we were introduced to the Democratic Alliance’s 30-year-old Johannesburg mayoral candidate who is a former television presenter, we were even informed about new political parties such as Zanele Magwaza-Msibi’s National Freedom Party and we were told about areas that have inadequate toilets. There are areas I feel were neglected during this election because the voice of those people was not loud enough so I decided to get up early and go to Soshanguve’s polling stations to see what the residents were fighting for in Pretoria’s township.

Voting day began in earnest with residents out in full force as voting stations were packed in the early hours of the day. A man identifying himself as Ntate Selalale was the first voter in the Magistrate’s Court.

IEC officials making sure all goes according
to plan.

“I am happy for this local government election. I woke up in the morning and councilors must do their job. They must bring change,” said Selalale

“I have voted for the party that I love,” he said.

Another voter, Nomvula Maoketsana , says her vote is for youth empowerment in the township.

IEC Presiding officer Lesego Letswalo was happy with the turnout. “The system is going well.”

Different views and concerns from electorates emerged as in other voting stations with long, slow queues in the Nkhensani Primary School and Rulani Junior Secondary School. Voting systems there were also slow. Those waiting on queues could not be deterred as they were excited about the change that has come to South Africa as one young voter, Kelebogile Maffiman explained.

Ward councilor, Rosemary Ngobeni, voting at
Rhulani Junior Secondary School.

“Our forefathers fought for this liberation and that is why I am here to vote. I feel the evolution from generation to generation.”

ANC ward councilor Rosemary Ngobeni and General Mahlomola from SCD Metro also came to the polls and casted their votes.

“There are challenges but there are progressive things that we can do,” said Mangubeni

As people were voting certain members of the ANC were recruiting people.