Hoping for a better future – elections 2014

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Boksburg residents turned out in large numbers to vote on Wednesday, May 7. 
At some polling stations, long queues formed at the crack of dawn.
Voters, young and old, told the Advertiser on Wednesday that they are voting for a better life for them and their children.
Early on the morning of Election Day, the queues at Laerskool Concordia, Sunward Park High and the voting stations in Ramaphosa, were already snaking outside the premises.
Long winding queues of voters which snaked through the streets, were also seen at the two polling stations in Angelo informal settlement.
Although a few voting stations experienced about an hour delays in opening, for the country’s fifth democratic elections, the vast majority of voting stations opened its doors at 7am.
Presiding officers say the delays were due to late delivery of voting materials, however, the problems were rectified and voting commenced immediately.
Apart from a few incidents at some polling stations, voting was proceeding smoothly, peacefully and briskly.
According to presiding officers at other polling stations, some voters arrived before the break of dawn.
There was an air of excitement, especially among first-time voters.
Paul Thombani (37), who queued patiently to cast his ballot at Tswelopele Pre-school in Angelo informal settlement, said he wants his mark to be repaid with better service delivery. 
“I’m here to vote and I hope that my vote will be returned with development. I have been living in the shacks, like pigs for more than 15 years, oh no! I want the new government to formalise the informal settlement and start to deliver basic needs.”

First-time voters in Reiger Park, Daniel Dickson (18) and Cylen Quinn (18) said they trust their vote to bring change in their township. They want to see better service delivery and the creation of more jobs for the youth.
“It’s great voting for the first time. It’s something new in my life, and I’m very excited that I now have a say in the country’s election and what is happening,” said Quinn. 
Dickson was also excited to vote for the first-time. “I am excited – it is something new to me.”
A Ramaphosa first-time voter, Azola Payiya, said she was also excited to be able to cast her ballots for the first time, and hopes her vote would lead to change. 
“I want to see the creation of more jobs, and a government that is committed to kick corruption out of the country. I also want a government that will focus on the improvement of public schools, hospitals and the provision of quality RDP houses.”

Eighty three-year-old Elizabeth Virginia is among the 80 elderly people from St Anthony’s Daycare Centre, who voted at the Oos Rand Secondary School, on Wednesday.

“I am voting for a better life for all of South Africa,” added Virginia. 
By casting her ballot for the fifth time, Virginia noted that it was also her way of thanking Tata Madiba, who along with other anti-apartheid icons fought for the right to vote.
A lot of first-time voters also wish to make a positive contribution to the future of their country.
“Our country needs change. I believe my vote will make a difference,” said Lebogang Masopoga at Summerfield Primary School.
A determined voter, Rialivhuwa Nekhwevha added that it is time to give other political parties a chance.
Submitting his ballot at Boksburg High School, Nekhwevha mentioned the changes he’s expecting from his political party of choice.
He wants E-tolls to be scrapped and would like to see better service delivery in informal settlements.
“You know, driving past the informal settlements and seeing the conditions people have to live under really hurts. Lastly, I’d like to see the winning party limit to the influx of foreigners, because South Africa is becoming ‘something else’,” said Nekhwevha.
Other voters want the new government to introduce new policies that will help curtail the influx of foreign workers, which would lead to easier job creation and an improved economy.
Police officers were deployed to monitor voting proceedings.
Apart from two incidents reported at Parkrand Primary School and Voortrekker Hoërskool, voters exercised their democratic right in a trouble-free voting environment at the vast majority of voting stations.
According to Boksburg SAPS spokesperson, Lieut Mathanda Ngobese, police arrested a 41-year-old woman after she allegedly assaulted a voter at the polling station in Parkdene. She was charged with common assault.
A 26-year-old man was also arrested after he allegedly attempted to vote using someone else’s ID, at Voortrekker Hoërskool.
Voting stations closed at 9pm, but people who were still in the queue at 9pm, were still allowed to vote.