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Young people in Pretoria share mixed views about voting

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Young people in the areas of Hatfield, Arcacia and Sunnyside in Tshwane have mixed feelings about voting in the 2021 Local Government Elections.

At a voting station in Hatfield, just up the road from Loftus Versfeld Stadium, youth are streaming in groups of three, four or five to cast their votes for a better City of Tshwane.

Twenty-year-old Mokgadi Ngubeni says she is not voting because she hasn’t registered, as she is not happy with the top three parties in the country.

“I have only looked at the three main parties, nothing beyond. I could have studied and looked at what other parties are doing. That is why I am not voting because I only know of these three and only looked at these three. Maybe if I looked into more and found a different party, then sure I would have voted and registered.”

Another young person, who is not voting, Ephraim Letsoalo says: “I heard people are voting today but I didn’t have time to register. To be honest I am not happy with how things are going because I see this side of Sunnyside, where I stay, the area is not hygienic.”

First-time voters

But a distance away, up the road on Park Street in Hatfield, a number of University of Pretoria students are queuing to cast their votes, some are really looking forward to it because they are voting for the first time.

Eighteen-year-old medicine student Malebo Malope, who stays in Arcadia, says she is excited about voting for the first time because she understands the power of her vote.

“I have been waiting for this time for a very long time, because growing up in a family that believes so much in your vote matters, that one vote can make a difference. For us to get to a million votes it’s a summation of one vote after the other.”

She continues, “I was raised in a way to believe that, as much as your vote may seem insignificant, it contributes towards something bigger that you’re not aware of.”

Ayanda Nzama, who came to vote with three of his friends, is also voting for the first time.

Nzama says he is yet to vote because he went to the incorrect voting station.

“I haven’t voted yet because I am at the wrong voting station, I should have gone to Arcadia Primary School. I am excited about casting my vote but indecisive about who I am voting for.”

Nzama says he will vote for change and is expecting the party he is voting for to take service delivery to the next level.

Another voter, Nhlakanipho Mahlangu says : “As an ordinary South African, someone who is not into politics, we have little say in what the government has to do, so with my vote, it is my chance to contribute in something.”

Photo Gallery of people voting:

Photos by Dinilohlanga Mekuto

 

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