'We must stay important to our government’

Hazel Allies-Husselman|Published 9 months ago

Voters in Hanover Park waited up to three hours to make their mark at Athwood Primary School.

Our people have spoken, whether we like it or not.

So said President Cyril Ramaphosa. He was speaking at the Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) final results announcement ceremony on Sunday June 2.

This election has seen a sharp drop in support for the ANC, which for the first time has lost its majority, forcing it to seek coalition partners to form a government. With all the votes counted, the ANC has 40.18% of votes nationally, followed by the DA with 21.81% and MK with 14.58%.

In the Western Cape, the DA won with 53.41% of the vote, the ANC got 19.79% and the PA came in third with 7.84%.

Millions of people across the country went to voting stations on Wednesday May 29, and in the greater Athlone area, both young and old voters came out in their numbers. Many did not mind the long wait, as some glitches with the system led to delays.

Abdullah Petersen waited for one-and-a-half hours in the queue at Athwood Primary School in Hanover Park.

“There should be definite changes. Our youngsters don’t have work so what do they do? They go into gangsterism and drugs. If more employment opportunities are created for them, we will win the war against gangsterism and drug addiction,” Mr Petersen said.

Constance Dirk said the Athwood Primary voting station had opened 20 minutes late at 7.20am but otherwise things had run smoothly.

“I think it went slow because it’s a small venue,” she said.

Charlotte Pietersen, 89, said: “It went okay. I always vote. I wish all of the best for the future of our children.”

Elizabeth Visagie voted at Bramble Way Primary in Bonteheuwel.

“We are very important now when we cast our votes, but we must stay important to our government. They need to eradicate poverty and build more houses. I hope and pray that the government will look after us, because our children have qualifications, but they can’t find work,” she said.

Reyhana Nagia Hendricks also voted at Bramble Way Primary.

Sharing her dreams for the future, Ms Nagia Hendricks said: “I hope for equality on all platforms - racial, religion, etcetera. I have a voice and through my vote, I can have my voice heard. I hope for us, especially those of us on the Cape Flats, to be seen and heard - for our children to stop suffering. I hope to see real change, not change that’s been whispered about.”

Abdullah Petersen believes job creation is the answer to eradicate gangsterism and drug addiction.

Even though Charlotte Pietersen, 89, finds it difficult to walk, she still felt it was important for her to make her way to the voting station at Athwood Primary School in Hanover Park.

Reyhana Nagia Hendricks voted at Bramble Way Primary School in Bonteheuwel. Her vote gives her a voice, she said.

Elizabeth Visagie, who also voted at Bramble Way, appealed to the government to remember that citizens weren’t just important on election day.

Ivan Pelston, 61, shows the stamps in his ID to prove how many times he voted before. He said government must fix what is wrong, provide better service delivery and give people houses.

Walter Truter, 73, said the government must give a decent increase for pensioners, fix potholes, and build houses. He voted at Bramble Way Primary in Bonteheuwel.