The long stretch to freedom: Citizens endure hours of queueing despite hot sun and squabbles
Subscribers can listen to this articleIn Nelson Mandela Bay, an altercation broke out when it appeared that a group was trying to jump the long queue.If queueing was a sport, South Africans would have their national colours. Citizens became champions on Wednesday, enduring hours of waiting across the country to vote, enduring gruelling heat and even an altercation.
This voting station made waves when voters took to social media to complain that they had been waiting in line for more than five hours.ANC party agent Moeketsi Mabote confirmed some of the allegations and said the voting station was"a mess". "This created another problem because those assisting the elderly spent way too much time doing so. When our elderly come to vote, they know exactly who to vote for. So, you should ask them who they want to vote for and show them where to mark their cross. There is no need to read all the ballot papers to them and all the party names. It takes up too much time. Some of them also skipped certain party names, leading to confusion," he explained."It's in a horrible condition.
"This is not how I expected my first vote to go but I am not discouraged. I will sit here until after the voting station closes if I have to.""There needs to be a change in government and I think there will be," said Masile. Those queueing include the hostel dwellers, with some saying they have been in the line for over four hours.
"I was working today and only got home at 5pm. I haven't bathed or eaten but I decided to queue here. I cannot miss this day because it comes once in five years," said Mathonsi, who was waiting in the line with a group of friends while sharing beers. "I think many people prefer to vote in the afternoon. They didn't come in the morning fearing long queues.""There are some improvements that must be made, like the permanent supply of electricity. I want to see change and am confident that my party will deliver those changes," Nonhlanhla said without revealing who she voted for.Zodwa Mhlongo-Maphumulo, 55, from Umlazi, in KwaZulu-Natal, said she stood in the queue for close to two hours.
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