There were glitches, a fiery protest and rain came early, but many IEC stations opened on time.
One of the first voters, Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle gave the experience a thumbs up and a large smile.
The day began with burning tyres and 200 protestors in the streets preventing officials reaching the voting station in Cambridge location where the ANC branch has in the recent weeks been demonstrating and closing roads, even the N2, over the imposition of a candidate.
Police were quickly on the scene and soon after 8am said the way was cleared for voters to use the station.
Premier Masualle, looking dapper in a navy sportscoat and grey polo-neck, was first in the queue at his Beaconhurst Primary station and voted soon after 8am.
Big John Badenhorst, the former Buffalo City Metro ANC councillor, chairman of the finance portfolio and member of the mayoral executive committee, cast his vote in Nahoon with his wife Kathie as he entered the new world of not being on the ANC candidates' list.
Stations were busy in East London's suburban Nahoon with 60 voters in the queue by 7am and Stirling where 100 cars were parked at the Nutting Hall station in Stirling by 7.30am. Juliet Puchert and her daughter Joy cut a happy pair still in their pajamas.
In Duncan Village, disappointed Mluleki Mrawuzeli, 52, was turned away from Gompo Village station after being told he was registered to vote in Lusikisiki. He said he'd voted at Duncan Village in the past.
There was no electricity for the Zonokhanya Primary school station in Mdantsane. The station has thousands of voters on its roll.
Langelitsha Primary school station was slow to start after scanners failed to work. This also affected Premier Masualle's voting, but officials quickly got it going and he voted quipping: "Your vote is your secret but everybody knows who I am voting for."
That predicted rain is starting to fall in Braelyn and Amalinda in East London. Most voters were dressed in warm clothing though.
Many of the first people at stations were the elderly, such as retired Sterkspruit teacher and businesswoman Nomonde Languza, 75, who was so excited to vote she woke at 3am and was at her voting station at 6am.
She is voting to fix water and power cuts which harm her BnB. In Mdantsane, granny Nosipho Sindesi and her grandchild Emihle Ngcali,1, are in the dark at their station which needs electrcity. ¬
Glitches, protests but many EC voting stations open on time
One of the first voters, Eastern Cape Premier Phumulo Masualle gave the experience a thumbs up and a large smile.
The day began with burning tyres and 200 protestors in the streets preventing officials reaching the voting station in Cambridge location where the ANC branch has in the recent weeks been demonstrating and closing roads, even the N2, over the imposition of a candidate.
Police were quickly on the scene and soon after 8am said the way was cleared for voters to use the station.
Premier Masualle, looking dapper in a navy sportscoat and grey polo-neck, was first in the queue at his Beaconhurst Primary station and voted soon after 8am.
Big John Badenhorst, the former Buffalo City Metro ANC councillor, chairman of the finance portfolio and member of the mayoral executive committee, cast his vote in Nahoon with his wife Kathie as he entered the new world of not being on the ANC candidates' list.
Stations were busy in East London's suburban Nahoon with 60 voters in the queue by 7am and Stirling where 100 cars were parked at the Nutting Hall station in Stirling by 7.30am. Juliet Puchert and her daughter Joy cut a happy pair still in their pajamas.
In Duncan Village, disappointed Mluleki Mrawuzeli, 52, was turned away from Gompo Village station after being told he was registered to vote in Lusikisiki. He said he'd voted at Duncan Village in the past.
There was no electricity for the Zonokhanya Primary school station in Mdantsane. The station has thousands of voters on its roll.
Langelitsha Primary school station was slow to start after scanners failed to work. This also affected Premier Masualle's voting, but officials quickly got it going and he voted quipping: "Your vote is your secret but everybody knows who I am voting for."
That predicted rain is starting to fall in Braelyn and Amalinda in East London. Most voters were dressed in warm clothing though.
Many of the first people at stations were the elderly, such as retired Sterkspruit teacher and businesswoman Nomonde Languza, 75, who was so excited to vote she woke at 3am and was at her voting station at 6am.
She is voting to fix water and power cuts which harm her BnB. In Mdantsane, granny Nosipho Sindesi and her grandchild Emihle Ngcali,1, are in the dark at their station which needs electrcity. ¬
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos