Pretoria – Pretoria’s young and old have braved the cold morning and come out in their numbers to vote in the 2014 general elections, which got underway shortly after 7am.
Today, South Africa goes to the polls in the country’s fifth national and provinical elections.
The voting station in Wonderpark, north of Pretoria, opened at exactly 7am and everything is going according to plan.
Despite the chilly morning, most voters are excited for the opportunity to cast their votes.
Lucky Moche from Theresapark, one of the first people to arrive at the voting station, told SAnews that he hopes his vote will change his life and that of fellow South Africans for the better.
“With my vote I believe that things will change for the better, government will be able to provide better services to the people. For me, voting also means strengthening our democracy. I want government to end poverty,” he said.
Echoing the same sentiments, Sinah Mojalefa from Orchards, told SAnews that she was excited that the time she has been waiting for has finally arrived.
“I’m here to cast my vote for a better life. Voting enables us to have a voice about the services we need,” Mojalefa said.
Also in the queue which winds around the voting station locale, are many young people who are voting for the first time
First-time voter Katlego Musia from Karen Park said she was voting so that government can be able to improve people’s lives.
“Government must provide jobs and end poverty,” she said.
Political parties had until midnight yesterday to wrap up their campaigns; no political activity is allowed today.
According to the Independent Electorial Commission (IEC), there are about 22 263 voting stations throughout the country to service about 25.39 million registered voters. – SAnews.gov.za
