Elections 2014: Tutu says SA'ns are losing interest in voting

ARCHBISHOP Emeritus Desmond Tutu says South Africans are becoming less excited about taking part in elections through voting.

After casting his ballot together with his wife Leah in Milnerton outside Cape Town, Tutu said unlike during the first democratic election in 1994, this time around people were becoming much “more blasé” or casual about the opportunity to elect a government of their choice.

“Obviously in 1994, we were incredibly excited, now we are becoming blasé,” said Tutu while he was mobbed by hordes of local and international journalists.

“It is absolutely crucial (for people to vote) people died for this right, people were imprisoned and so we mustn’t waste it, we must keep remembering we got this at a very great price.”

Tutu, who had previously said he would pray for the downfall of the ANC-led government and would take part in this election with “a heavy heart”, declined to divulge which party had earned his vote.

“My vote is my secret,” said a chuckling Tutu whose support for the ANC had never been in doubt until the last few years.

The Archbishop took IEC officials by surprise when he produced his ID smart card instead of a green bar-coded ID during the verification process.

IEC officials attending to the Archbishop had to consult with the voting station's presiding officer, who immediately cleared the way for Tutu to cast ballot.

“We were not alerted about the smart card ID, but it's allowed though,” said the official later told The Times.