Wednesday, 29 May, marks the country’s seventh democratic election and to ensure that South Africans have sufficient time to make their way to the polls, President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared Wednesday a special public holiday.
First-time voters, Amahle Hlope, Nomonde Sikhakhane, Inosipho Mgaga and Aphile Mgwenya, told The Ladysmith Herald that they are excited about making their vote count and hope that the rest of the country’s citizens will also gather at the polls to make a difference.
“We deserve a change and we, as the youth of South Africa, have the opportunity to change the outcome of these elections,” said the youngsters.
Amahle Hlope said that she will be voting because it is time for a change in the current leadership. She said: “For the last 30 years, there has been no change. We are about to leave school and it is a scary situation to be in, with the ongoing unemployment rising, what future do we have?”
Government calls all eligible voters, especially young people, to go out in their numbers to vote as the active participation of all eligible voters is central to strengthening the country’s democracy.
Nomonde Sikhakhane said that people must get up and use the public holiday as a great opportunity to make the change that they want to see and experience within SA. “I think all communities have been suffering long enough, it is time for the public to cast their votes for change at this year’s polls.”
The election is against the backdrop of the commemoration of 30 years of freedom in South Africa and President Ramaphosa has consulted with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) as well as all nine provincial premiers on the state of readiness for the General Elections before announcing Election Day as a public holiday.
The IEC also embarked on two voter registration drives, which resulted in the voters’ roll now standing at over 27 million voters.
