Durban voters who want change are not optimistic, but still eager to exercise their right to vote
|Published
DURBAN - Some Durban voters in Durban said they were casting their vote for the sake of exercising their democratic rights even though they were not expecting any change.
But others were more hopeful and they still has faith that things might change.
At voting stations visited by The Mercury this morning, there were mostly elderly people in the queues. Some said they had got up as early as 5am to ensure they were among the first in line to cast their vote. They said they could not miss to opportunity to make their mark because they had been voting since 1994.
A voter at the Durban City Hall, Soomaree Roopnarain, 81, said she had been voting since 1994 and she wanted to see change.
However she complained about the voting station making them wait.
“Yesterday we came here for the special vote but they said we must come back today. When we came in today they first made us stand in the line but now I am glad to vote,” she said after her ID got scanned.
Israel Mndebele who was also at the Durban City Hall said it is heartbreaking to see the youth not having skills yet he hasdbeen voting since 1994.
“I was in the ANC since 1994 but now I have to change because all I see is a corrupt government. It is very sad to see the youth without skills. I got here at 5.30AM to vote because I want to see change,” he said.
A resident who did not want to be named who was voting at Northwood Boys High school in Durban North, said: “I vote every time there are elections because if I don't then I cannot complain or have an opinion.”
When DA leader John Steenhuisen came to vote at the school, he was warmly welcomed by his supporters.
Steenhuisen said he was confident that the party had run a good campaign and it was clear people want to see change.
“A lot of municipalities around the province are in big trouble. People are looking for some hope and change, they are looking for service delivery, a way to keep lights on and a way to keep water in the taps and to keep their communities safe. A government that will be on their side, spending the money on them and not on politicians,” he said.
The DA said he believed his party stood a good chance to win the Umngeni Municipality, which includes Howick.
“We are two seats short of the majority in Umngeni Municipality however it all depends on the voters in the area if they go out and vote.”
Durban North DA ward 36 councillor candidate Shontel De Boer, said she will be working hard to overcome the challenges in the area - illegal businesses and people occupying buildings illegally.
“We will be making sure that this area is cleaned up. I am working together with an organisation called Enviro fixers and we clean up the area. The business district Broadway is maintained by the Enviro Fixers,” she said.
THE MERCURY