No rush to register for election
ALEXANDRA - Voter registration off to a slow start in Alex.
Voter registration weekend got off to a slow start at some Alexandra stations.
Those who turned out to register were quite excited about the 2014 national elections, although most felt that the government hadn’t done much for them.
Phineas Malemala, who first voted in the 1994 elections, said a lot of promises were made after that election but most have not been delivered. “I will be voting but this time I want a different party to win this election so that things can change,” he said. “There hasn’t been a strong opposition party since 1994 and that’s why we haven’t seen changes.”
Another man, who did not want to be named, was vocal about his support for Julius Malema. He said the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) was his hope for a better future.
“The African National Congress hasn’t done anything for us, especially those of us who come from Limpopo,” he said. “They have instead brought us many problems like the four tollgates that I have to go through every time I got home to Tzaneen.
“They are now bringing us e-tolls which will bring further problems to the poor. I will be voting for the EFF whether they will make a difference or not, that remains to be seen.”
Patrick Dube felt his vote would not make a difference and said he would vote because it was his right to do so. He said not much had changed in his living condition. He said, “When you are used to living like an animal you get used to that life. Just because I am voting it doesn’t mean that I expect anything to change. I’m used to this life.”
An IEC official at Dr Knak Primary School, which was one of the registration stations, said things were going smoothly and they had registered about 50 people on the morning of the first day. “We are expecting to see more people,” said the official who did not want to be named.
