According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), 27,672,264 people are registered to vote. The Sunday Times canvassed a cross section of them on why they will be making their mark on Wednesday.
ETIENNE FOURIE
Johannesburg lawyer Etienne Fourie, 38, is not missing an opportunity to vote even though it meant changing international flights.
“I am flying to England for my cousin’s wedding. My flight was originally booked for early on Wednesday, but I managed to have it moved to the evening so I can vote. I plan to hit the queue as early as possible ... so I can finish in time to leave for the airport. I have shown time and time again that I will move heaven and earth to vote.”
Fourie says he will “never not vote”.
“Voting gives you the right to be critical about the government and its machinations, but it also gives you the right to be hopeful about the future of this wonderful country. Without hope, being critical has no value,” Fourie said.
He is a proud voter.
“I know some people tell the folks working at the polling stations to make the ink mark on their thumb as small as possible and then wash it off almost immediately. When I vote, I tell them to go large. That mark is something I am proud of ... It is a wonderful conversation starter. Weeks later strangers can have an incredible talk about the world we live in just because of this mark on our thumbs.”
Fourie has voted in every election since his matric year in 2004. “I have never missed an election. I am a proud South African and being part of our democratic process is a cornerstone of my life.”
— Hendrik Hancke
NADIA BASSON
Human resources practitioner Nadia Basson, 33, believes voting is an essential act.
“It is crucial to exercise my right to vote in the upcoming national democratic elections. Voting is not only a fundamental democratic right but also a powerful tool for shaping the future of our nation,” she said.
“South Africa’s history is marked by the struggle for equal rights and representation, and our democracy was hard-won. By voting, I honour the sacrifices made by countless individuals who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today.
“It is a way to ensure that the voices of all South Africans, regardless of race, gender, or socioeconomic status, are heard and represented,” Basson said.
“Voting is essential for fostering accountability and transparency in government. It is our chance to elect leaders who reflect our values and priorities, and who will work towards creating a more just and equitable society.
“As a young woman, I am particularly concerned about issues such as gender equality, economic opportunity, and social justice. By voting, I can support candidates and policies that align with these concerns and contribute to meaningful change.”
She said every vote counted.
“When we all participate, we strengthen the democratic fabric of our society.
“In a country as diverse and dynamic as South Africa, it is vital that we all take part in shaping our collective destiny. By voting, I am not only exercising my rights but also fulfilling my responsibility as a citizen to contribute to a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient democracy. Together, we can ensure that our nation continues to progress and thrive.”
— Hendrik Hancke
RICARDO ARENDSE
Playwright Ricardo Arendse, 43, grew up in a political household.
“We were UDF people. My granny made us porridge in the mornings and with every spoonful you were fed political thoughts. In 1994 everything was simple — it was the black majority voting for the first time and the white minority trying to keep what they had, but we knew the numbers were in our favour and our community started celebrating long before voting day. We knew we were going to win.”
This election is different.
“Where we fought for unity in ’94 we are now fighting for the future of our country. My two sons are 17 and 12 now. Someday in the future they will turn to me and ask what I did to secure their future. When that day comes I want to be able to tell them I exercised my democratic right in every election where I was eligible to vote,” he said.
“Maybe it is a cliché, but the act of making your cross is the best tool we have to bring change.”
But he is worried. “My people on the Cape Flats are broken and are now starting to fall for populists who promise them the death penalty for people killing our children. These populist politicians make them believe the death penalty will come back like Jesus and make everything OK. We have to stay wide awake when listening to the promises of politicians.”
Arendse believes every eligible South African must vote.
“Not only is it your civic duty, but to play in the game you cannot stand on the sidelines, you have to be on the field and actively participate.”
— Hendrik Hancke
DONOVAN NAIDOO
Donovan Naidoo, 44, a businessman from Windermere in Durban said he was looking forward to casting his vote with a keen eye on education, the economy and equality.
“There is one guarantee. I will be voting. We want government to prioritise education. I expect to see an economy that is growing and to see equality across the different racial groups in this country,” said Naidoo.
He wants to see a culture of respect and integrity in the leaders who are elected.
“No doubt South Africa is in a better position than it was some years back, but not the best,” said Naidoo.
He believes the country has great potential but this can only be achieved through a shift in leadership and an acknowledgment of things that have gone wrong in recent years.
He lamented the “deprivation of human rights” caused by load-shedding and water shortages across different communities.
— Mfundo Mkhize
JEREMY CRAWFORD
Durban lawyer Jeremy Crawford’s determination to vote is largely informed by wanting to get a “responsible” person into power.
“I want someone who would be prudent at controlling the purse strings of this government,” he said.
Originally from Johannesburg, Crawford expressed concern about the general degradation of some suburbs.
“On my way to Durban on Wednesday I had to resort to showering at the OR Tambo business lounge because there was no water where I come from,” said the 60-year-old.
He gestured to weeds growing around the Durban city hall, saying it was due to neglect. A general sense of municipal decay was evident, he said, which was offputting for both locals and tourists.
Crawford believes no-one takes any pride in running the city or KwaZulu-Natal.
He said that if the elections resulted in a coalition government, this would at least offer the prospect of change to the status quo.
He hoped to see an economic upturn after the voting. “I would focus on the commercialisation of tourism, on sustainable agriculture and on manufacturing, which can go a long way in harnessing job prospects.”
— Mfundo Mkhize
LINDIWE MIYA
Religious leader Lindiwe Miya from uMlazi township is voting because there is so much at stake for the country’s 30-year-old democracy.
“Lots of people lost their lives so that we can enjoy the privilege,” said Miya.
She highlighted the challenges of lawlessness and corruption, saying the country had degenerated into a mafia state. “There is lack of protection for women and as a result, females are losing their lives at the hands of their male counterparts.”
Miya believes part of the problem in South Africa was that political leaders did not fear God.
“Leaders should not be wary of being led thorough Christ. Righteousness should be one of our virtues and that of the leaders,” said Miya.
She urged young people to vote, take ownership of the country and come up with solutions to make it prosper.
“I have no doubt that this country has great potential but we need to use God as a temple so that he can direct us to the right path,” said Miya.
— Mfundo Mkhize
ANELE KHUZWAYO
May 29 is a significant day for Anele Khuzwayo because she will celebrate her 19th birthday by voting for the first time.
Khuzwayo, of Amawoti, in Inanda north of Durban, says all she wants for her birthday is to participate in democracy directly for the first time and for her country to be prosperous.
“I am so keen to know what it really means to vote and how it feels to be inside a polling station. I am very excited and happy to cast my vote,” said Khuzwayo.
The call centre agent is curious about which party will emerge victorious. She wants to see the government make good on its promise to restore infrastructure damaged by the KwaZulu-Natal floods of 2022.
“We have had a bridge which fell into disrepair. Government has tried to fix it at least three times. That’s what I will like them to fix, because all this time they have been doing a shoddy job,” she said.
She hopes her vote will lead to better living conditions in her neighbourhood, and that whoever wins will improve the economic outlook for her and neighbours.
— Mfundo Mkhize
ONGEZWA SIDUMO
Ongezwa Sidumo, 23, a postgraduate student at Mangosuthu University of Technology in Umlazi, Durban, is excited about making her mark on Wednesday.
Complaining about the state of the country, including service delivery and corruption, had been frustrating but voting meant “finally taking action” about these problems.
Failing to vote would defeat the whole purpose of democracy.
“My voice can contribute a lot to everything I’ve been complaining about over the last five years. These parties challenge each other for governance and our votes can be a pushing force for them to try to do better, it’s how we can hold them accountable for their actions in their period in government.”
Sidumo added that it would “disrespectful” to the lives that were lost in the fight for freedom if she did not exercise the right to vote.
“It would defeat the whole purpose of democracy if I was to sit here and say I’m not going to vote. I want to exercise that freedom of choice and expression because there’s a lot that’s going on in the country and a lot to consider so I cannot sit back and say I won’t vote because that would mean I don’t contribute anything to the stance of South Africa.”
— Lwazi Hlangu
LOYISO OLDJOHN
Johannesburg photographer Loyiso Oldjohn, 24, said he will be voting for change.
“I suppose it is to contribute to the change I want, and to have a voice. I am voting for change.”
He also wanted to vote to ensure a different perspective in how black people saw themselves.
“As South Africans, we are still stuck in our history. I believe we are not living in our present and are not dealing with it. We are still not aware that everyone is allowed to be black, to be white, to be Indian — to have their own identity and culture — and race should no longer be a problem.
“I think for me we are still stuck in the victim mode and we need that to change. We need to own up to our mistakes and the lessons and decide where we want to go as a nation.”
— Penwell Dlamini
PAMELA KOYANA
Pamela Koyana, 26, of Yeoville in Johannesburg who works in promotions is voting to see change in her community.
“As a country we have load-shedding and in my area there are water problems. Where I stay, we can go for five days without water. I have to vote to see change. If I don’t vote I do not think there will be any change.”
Koyana said she was aware of the importance of her vote and did not want to waste it, though so far voting had made no difference.
“I have voted before. We vote but we don’t see the change after voting. We are voting again because we are hopeful this time around we will see the change,” Koyana said.
— Penwell Dlamini
REIGN WALKER
Reign Walker, 22, from Cape Town’s northern suburbs, cautioned voters to do their research as political promises did not always materialise.
“It’s my first time voting. The way things are going it looks like our country is on a downward spiral, and hopefully my vote can [help] to achieve that another party can take over and make a change.
“One of the main issues in South Africa is everybody being divided, especially our country being divided on what is our main goal. For most people the main goal would be to have a change in national government but I feel that with so many parties ... people are going to go for different parties based on their policies and what aligns with them.
“I think that’s OK but the main goal for this election should be having change in national government.”
The operations analyst in the field of computers said voters should not take politicians at their word. “A lot of parties are saying nice things but ultimately, as we see with our national government, they can say a lot of nice things but it never comes to fruition and I think that is a big issue.”
— Kim Swartz
MUHAMED JOOSAB
Cape Town optometrist Muhamed Joosab, 30, hopes his vote will help end some everyday challenges and economic constraints. “I will be voting, it is the right thing to do. And we are hoping to achieve an end to load-shedding, a strong economy where we can buy food, groceries, petrol, electricity and houses, without struggling.”
He was worried about the potential impact of National Health Insurance on health care, in addition to problems such as load-shedding.
“We know load-shedding is a problem but it seems that people are forgetting that electricity is a basic human right and our government is bending that right. They are managing the problems, not finding solutions to the power crisis. Kids born after 2007 don’t know what a load-shedding-free life feels like, and that says a lot.”
As somebody involved in the Fees Must Fall movement during his student days, he was disheartened to see little progress in access to education: “Have the fees fallen yet? No, things are just getting more and more expensive, and not just for students.”
— Kim Swartz
