South African Citizens Cast Their Votes in the Country’s Seventh Democratic Elections

Image:(The Post News/ Nsuku Khosa) South Africans standing in quest, waiting for their turn to cast their votes.

(The Post News)– May 29^th 2024 marked a significant milestone in South Africa’s history as thousands of citizens in Pretoria Central (CBD) exercised their democratic right to vote in the country’s seventh democratic elections. This year’s elections are particularly important, occurring 30 years after the end of apartheid, a system of institutionalized racial segregation that divided the nation for decades.

The day was marked by a intense sense of anticipation and hope, as South Africans from all walks of life lined up in long queues, some stretching over a kilometer, waiting patiently to make their voices heard. The Electoral Commission of South Africa had set up an impressive 23,292 voting stations to accommodate the turnout, which saw a steady flow of voters from the early hours of the morning.

Among the voters is 23-year-old Lizel Manasoe, who expresses her support for the United Africans Transformation (UAT). “UAT is here to serve its people, unlock change, and change the narrative “serving its people, unlocking change, and changing the narrative,” as it draws on Pan-Africanism and the philosophy of Ubuntu. UAT vows to tackle hunger, land issues, and inequality through “land expropriation without compensation,” addressing crime, unemployment, and load shedding, in the spirit of ‘motho ke motho ka batho’—a person is a person through others.

The significance of the day was not lost on Nompilo Kunene, a young voter who cast her ballot for the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). “I trust the party I voted for; its leadership has shown dedication to addressing the country’s challenges,” she said. Kunene highlighted the party’s commitment to the youth, particularly students who have faced accommodation funding issues due to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) shortcomings. “The party’s intervention in ensuring students were not evicted from their accommodations speaks volumes about their concern for the future of our country,” Kunene added.

On the other side of the political spectrum, 20-year-old Pontsho Phalama casts his vote for the Democratic Alliance (DA , stating, “I believe a new broom sweeps better than an old one,” and praised the party’s track record in the Western Cape and Tshwane. Phalama was particularly swayed by the DA’s unemployment policy and their approach to Load Shedding, believing their solutions “could work in the near future.”

This election is not just about who will govern but also about commemorating the strides made since the dark days of apartheid. It is a celebration of democracy, a reflection of the past, and a hopeful gaze towards a promising future.