{"id":967441,"date":"2024-05-29T10:19:51","date_gmt":"2024-05-29T10:19:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost:8888\/dm-simulator-v2\/?p=967441"},"modified":"2024-05-29T10:19:51","modified_gmt":"2024-05-29T10:19:51","slug":"voters-share-their-hopes-for-the-outcome-of-the-elections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/elections.sabc.co.za\/elections2024\/voters-share-their-hopes-for-the-outcome-of-the-elections\/","title":{"rendered":"Voters share their hopes for the outcome of the elections"},"content":{"rendered":"

Reading Time: <\/span> 5<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As South Africa heads to the polls today, voters have shared what they hope to be the outcome of the country\u2019s 7th democratic elections.<\/p>\n

Voters in Johannesburg have braved the morning chill to queue outside voting stations<\/a>, eagerly waiting to cast their ballots.<\/p>\n

At the Robindale primary school voting station in Randburg, north of the city \u2013 more than 3600 people are registered to vote.<\/p>\n

Residents who joined the queue from six o\u2019clock this morning told SABC News that they hope there will be positive change post the elections.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m coming to be number one because I want to vote for change. I\u2019m feeling very, very, very good,\u201d says one voter.<\/p>\n

Another adds, \u201cI feel good. I was up late last night doing an assignment, but other than that, no, I\u2019m excited. Also my first time, yes. I can finally make a contribution to the country.\u201d<\/p>\n

Limpopo<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some eligible voters in Thabazimbi, Limpopo, who are at work, say they will vote later during the day.<\/p>\n

Electoral Commission staff arrived at a voting station in Regorogile township an hour before the opening time.<\/p>\n

Relebogile Ndwandwe from the Eastern Cape, explains that he has been voting in Thabazimbi for several years.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m going to work as I\u2019m speaking now, around 6 I should be inside. In about two hours I will be back to vote and then head back to work again. It is my democratic right, I have to vote; if I don\u2019t vote who will vote for me?\u201d says Ndwandwe.<\/p>\n

A voter in Kotishing village outside Polokwane in Limpopo, wants the government to intensify its fight against the trafficking and abusing of drugs.<\/p>\n

The voter was among the first people to cast their ballots this morning.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have voted, I want the party that I have voted for to fight drug dealing in the country, the drugs are destroying the future of our children, some are school drop outs because of drug abuse, we won\u2019t have police and soldiers as children are using drugs,\u201d says this voter.<\/p>\n

Staying in Limpopo, some voters in Mushongoville in Musina, say that they expect the incoming government to make the needs of students at tertiary institutions its priority.<\/p>\n

Speaking after voting, 19-year-old Matodzi Mulaudzi, who is voting for the first time, explains some of the challenges that students are facing.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter this election, I\u2019m expecting to get free education\u2026I\u2019ve been paying R2400 per module and R650 per subject, so I\u2019m expecting for those fees to be decreased or maybe they can be canceled, so we can get a free education. They will be saying if you don\u2019t have education, you are nothing but then when you want to study, they always put fees that we can\u2019t even afford and NSFAS doesn\u2019t even pay out\u2026learners are even dropping out, going back home, because they can\u2019t afford food and accommodation around here is too expensive,\u201d says Mulaudzi.<\/p>\n

Mpumalanga<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some residents of Wesselton township near Ermelo in Mpumalanga, say they hope their vote will help to bring development to their area.<\/p>\n

They also braved the cold weather to queue at various voting stations.<\/p>\n

Some residents arrived an hour before the opening of the voting stations.<\/p>\n

They say a lack of water and sanitation are some of the challenges they are facing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe voted for councillors in 2021 with a hope that we will get a better life. The current government is failing us. There is no service delivery in our ward,\u201d says one voter.<\/p>\n

Northern Cape<\/strong><\/p>\n

Various voters at the Kuruman Library voting station in the Ga Segonyana Municipal area in the Northern Cape, are excited about casting their ballots.<\/p>\n

This is despite the chilly weather and the delay in opening the voting station following a power outage.<\/p>\n

People started queuing since half past six this morning.<\/p>\n

One voter says, \u201cI am excited I am here to make change in South Africa because we are tired. It\u2019s nice weather today, I am positive and I am positive about the election, I hope the right party wins. It feels good we must support our country.\u201d<\/p>\n

KwaZulu-Natal<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite temperatures as low as four degrees Celsius, voters joined the queue outside Hlalanathi high school in Madadeni outside Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal.<\/p>\n

The first person entered the voting station at a quarter past seven.<\/p>\n

Elderly voters didn\u2019t take too kindly to not being able to vote at seven o\u2019clock.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey are starting late instead of starting at 7 o\u2019clock. And then me, I\u2019m freezing there. I\u2019m going to the hospital to take the diabetes tablet. I\u2019m rushing to the hospital so it\u2019s too late. On the TV they\u2019re writing 7 until 9, but they didn\u2019t do that,\u201d shares an elderly voter.<\/p>\n

However one 18-year-old is excited about voting for the first time.<\/p>\n

\u201cI feel like I\u2019ve made a choice finally, like I have a choice in the country, a say I guess. It feels good to vote for the first time.\u201d<\/p>\n

SABC News Election Coverage | 29 May 2024<\/h4>\n