Thousands come out to vote in Alex

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Despite the Wednesday morning chill, thousands of voters in Alexandra thronged poling stations to exercise their constitutional right.

Queues that had formed before the official start – 7am at the Roman Catholic old MC Weiler Primary, Realogile Secondary schools and 3 Stop Sports Complex got longer as it became warmer – snaking around buildings and tents. Similar scenes were reported at other centres at churches, sports fields and crèches. The Police present to help officials maintain order and political party agents moved around ensuring the process was conducted fairly as stipulated.

Voters and officials had varied views on the process, conduct and anticipation of the outcome.

At MC Weiler, Jabulani Chabalala said choosing a party to govern for the next five years was the only way he could confirm his right. “Even though I am not happy in many respects, I think the errors made by government do not out-weigh significant improvements in people’s lives unlike in the past. I trust my party choice will continue but hopefully improve service delivery,” he said.

Lydia Nhlapo (83) and Peter Campbell (72) said their votes were informed by government’s failure to fulfill its commitment especially in delivery of land and property rights which were long promised to Alexandra residents. ” I want a government which will give back my property before I die,” Lydia said.

Khadi Lamola, chief editor at Alex FM said people had expressed concern at the slow rate of job creation and delivery of houses which they allege are being allocated to foreigners. “They may cast protest votes to make their voices heard” adding that she anticipated a larger turn out from the afternoon to evening when workers had returned and were joined by those still milling around.”

Charles Burnham a Democratic Alliance official predicted victory for his party at provincial level. “In our door to door campaigns even ANC members said they would vote for us to protest at their party’s failure to deliver houses and jobs,” he said.

Conceding that that there were challenges, ANC official Sinnah Malebye said its successes should be celebrated through the vote like access to voting by previously discriminated groups. Also housing was another challenge but should be understood in context. Its made to look bad for government because when people have been allocated new homes, the shacks still remained and were occupied by people from elsewhere creating an artificial demand,” she said.

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