Election season is in full swing and while the politicians dance (some of them more awkwardly than others). FAATIMA TAYOB found out how well the election is being anticipated in Cape Town.
Rumina Adams, registered and will be voting.
“I will vote for myself – I am the president in my house.
I would like my vote to achieve a more peaceful country, where there is greater
understanding and tolerance of each other.”
Penny Collins, registered to vote many years ago, and will continue to vote
“I have been voting for democratic South Africa and will continue to do so.
But it is not making a difference.
I want and believe in equality for all.
Basic things, such as medication aren’t easily to accessible to all
South Africans.
It’s always been okay for me because I am white.”
Bulumko Lucy, Doctor, registered and will be voting
“I am voting and will vote so I can try and make a positive difference for South Africa.
Currently, I am 51% positive about South Africa. 49% of me doesn’t feel hopeful.
My hope for South Africa is that the inequality that exists changes.”
Marlin Samuels, Doctor, has not registered to vote
“I am not registered to vote, and probably wont. I didn’t even know when it was the last weekend to register.
I plan to leave South Africa and live in Canada. I feel I will have better opportunities there.
I do feel that South Africa needs to work on our high crime rate. There really needs to be a more effective police presence.”
Triya Govender. registered to vote
“I will be voting for three key reasons
1. I want to give our current party a wake up call. They are far too complacent.
2. I will be voting for a party that advocates active citizenship.
3. I believe our constitution is one of the most progressive, and I want to vote to protect it.
Our current ruling party acts in contradiction to our constitution.
Twenty years after our first democratic election, I feel disillusioned. While there has been a lot of positive change, on the other hand there is much left to be desired – and I desire less corruption! “
Andre Pretorius, employee at Woodstock Co-op, will be voting
“I was happy under the Apartheid system. I had everything I needed. Good medical aid
and a good education.
I will be voting this year so the DA can keep the Western Cape, and I hope they gain more provinces.
I just want South Africa to have another president. It doesn’t have to be Helen Zille, just any other one.”
Olebogeng Mogotsi, registered and will vote
“I really don’t know who to vote for. But I will be voting in May, because I don’t want to sit back and complain knowing
that I didn’t even try to do something.
I feel our current government has too much power, so I will vote to ensure other parties gain seats and hope that
all our parties can work together for a better South Africa. South Africa has so much potential, but we are hindered
by so much, and so we can’t progress.”
Jeremy Justin, a barista and DJ, registered to vote and will be voting for the first time
“I realised that it’s better to vote than to not vote at all. I really am not sure yet what I want my vote to achieve.”
Thando Nzimande, registered to vote
“If you don’t vote, you can’t complain”
James Surgery, registered to vote
“I am voting because I have always wanted to be involved.
I don’t know if my vote will help, but I’d like to think it will.
We need a government that listens to its people.”
Regan Joseph, Student manager at Azusa pacific university, will be voting
“This will be my third time voting, but I don’t know if my vote will achieve much.
I do hope that the DA gets to keep Cape Town, because they get things done!
I would like all South Africans to change their attitudes.”
Alleyne Smith, corporate communications manager
“This country is stressful. I just want to worry about the fact that the train was late, not that my president spent 260 million on a house.
There is so much going on and the last thing we need to be worrying about is a corrupt president!
Our government is ridiculous!
People have historic lenses when they vote. My political home is the ANC, but voting for them means, by default, I will be voting for corruption. But I can’t and won’t vote for the DA.
I think we are on the brink of a revolution. South Africans are angry, and people have not had access to basic resources for many years.”
This post was amended on Monday 24 February after one respondent that was originally featured withdrew her consent to have her photo and views published.
