Among the millions of South Africans who voted for the first time in 1994, was Sarah Mahlangu. She was incredibly excited to exercise this right.
The 84 year-old, from Vezubuhle in Mpumalanga, hasn’t been able to walk in the last four years. This disability makes it difficult as she takes care of her grandchildren.
Sarah Mahlangu gets a grant from the government. She says she has access to water, even if it’s not everyday as well as tar roads.
“It is just that I can’t walk anymore. I also can’t stand. I’m scared I’ll fall if I attempt to stand. It’s better if I just sit the whole day. But then I am not feeling any pain. My knees are just not working anymore. So, I am scared I’ll fall. I don’t remember everything, but I remember people were happy when we went to vote for Mandela. We used to see him in newspapers. I voted this year. The mark is slowly fading. Transport was organized to pick me up and ferry me to the voting station.”
Mahlangu says she wants crime to end.
“I pick the yellow flag because we have water and we have roads. I don’t work, but I get grant.”
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