A LONG queue of “born-frees” voting for the first time waited impatiently at a Rhodes University booth in Grahamstown yesterday.
Most were sure about where their vote would go and could not wait to get in.
“We are voting ANC,” said a group of three first-timers.
Students Sikelelwa Gxotani, 18, and Mxhasi Mpikwa, 19, from Bhisho, and Mpendulo Siphika, 21, from Mthatha were excited to have their say.
Only Siphika was born before 1994. The other two are part of the born-free generation – that is, born after the first democratic vote in April 1994.
For these three, who have no living memory of white minority rule, the ANC remains the only party of choice.
Gxotani said there was no other party that appealed to young African people. “The ANC is my first and only choice. Who else is there?”
But all three agreed the party would have to pull up its socks.
“There has to be less corruption in the ANC government this time round,” says Gxotani.
Mpikwa said the ruling party would also have to focus more on meaningful job creation if it wanted to retain the youth vote.
All three also agreed President Jacob Zuma had outstayed his welcome, both as party leader and president of the country.
Siphika said the party should focus on increasing access to university education.
Kirstan Gerrans, 18, also voting for the first time, said her support lay with the Democratic Alliance. “My family have always been loyal to the DA and I have no reason to vote for any other party. I just want to put my cross and get on with my busy day.”
Boipelo Bonukwane, 24, from Kimberley, was a more seasoned voter – it was her second time as she voted in 2009.
Sporting a Freedom Charter T-shirt proclaiming that South Africa belonged to all who lived in it, the animated young woman said young people “absolutely must” vote. “If you stay at home and don’t vote you shouldn’t complain later on.
“I am not sure who to vote for,” she added, looking anxiously at the quickly flowing queue ahead of her. “I just haven’t decided yet.”
Unemployed Port Alfred teen Teale Beyers, 18, said he felt empowered voting for the first time, as he could finally have a say in how the country was run.
“I am not happy with the way things are at the moment.
“The youth need jobs, we have to create more employment to get them off drugs.”
Beyers said drug addiction and dealing was a problem where he lived. Many coloured youngsters in his neighbourhood felt hopeless about their future, and he objected to the way they were marginalised.
“I voted DA – they should be given a chance. The ANC has been in charge for 20 years and they did all right in the beginning but they have been lazy over the past four years.”
Wearing a red beret and an ANC T-shirt, Nemato resident Zolani Qengqani, 19, said South Africa was still plagued by many social ills but the ruling party was doing a good job.
“I am happy with the way things are going.
“We just need to improve education and infrastructure and stop government corruption.
“I know the ANC has failed in certain things but if we vote for them we give them the chance to rectify their mistakes.”
According to Qengqani, the electorate was not voting for freedom as this had already been achieved.
“I am voting for the ANC as I believe we have no other choice.”
Political parties have geared their election campaigns to attract this new set of idealistic, youthful voters.
Both the ANC and the DA focused on job creation for youth while the new kid on the block, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), claim to represent “the true interests and aspirations” of the youth.
While parties have targeted the youth in their election campaigns, figures put the registration of 18- and 19-year-olds at just 36% – well below the national registration rate of 77%.
According to the Electoral Commission only one third of eligible 18- to 19-year-olds had registered to vote – a total of 683201.
However, in the next bracket, the number of 20- to 29-year-old registered voters was at 5.8-million, some 61% of those eligible to vote.
Elections: Mixed feelings for young first-timers
Most were sure about where their vote would go and could not wait to get in.
“We are voting ANC,” said a group of three first-timers.
Students Sikelelwa Gxotani, 18, and Mxhasi Mpikwa, 19, from Bhisho, and Mpendulo Siphika, 21, from Mthatha were excited to have their say.
Only Siphika was born before 1994. The other two are part of the born-free generation – that is, born after the first democratic vote in April 1994.
For these three, who have no living memory of white minority rule, the ANC remains the only party of choice.
Gxotani said there was no other party that appealed to young African people. “The ANC is my first and only choice. Who else is there?”
But all three agreed the party would have to pull up its socks.
“There has to be less corruption in the ANC government this time round,” says Gxotani.
Mpikwa said the ruling party would also have to focus more on meaningful job creation if it wanted to retain the youth vote.
All three also agreed President Jacob Zuma had outstayed his welcome, both as party leader and president of the country.
Siphika said the party should focus on increasing access to university education.
Kirstan Gerrans, 18, also voting for the first time, said her support lay with the Democratic Alliance. “My family have always been loyal to the DA and I have no reason to vote for any other party. I just want to put my cross and get on with my busy day.”
Boipelo Bonukwane, 24, from Kimberley, was a more seasoned voter – it was her second time as she voted in 2009.
Sporting a Freedom Charter T-shirt proclaiming that South Africa belonged to all who lived in it, the animated young woman said young people “absolutely must” vote. “If you stay at home and don’t vote you shouldn’t complain later on.
“I am not sure who to vote for,” she added, looking anxiously at the quickly flowing queue ahead of her. “I just haven’t decided yet.”
Unemployed Port Alfred teen Teale Beyers, 18, said he felt empowered voting for the first time, as he could finally have a say in how the country was run.
“I am not happy with the way things are at the moment.
“The youth need jobs, we have to create more employment to get them off drugs.”
Beyers said drug addiction and dealing was a problem where he lived. Many coloured youngsters in his neighbourhood felt hopeless about their future, and he objected to the way they were marginalised.
“I voted DA – they should be given a chance. The ANC has been in charge for 20 years and they did all right in the beginning but they have been lazy over the past four years.”
Wearing a red beret and an ANC T-shirt, Nemato resident Zolani Qengqani, 19, said South Africa was still plagued by many social ills but the ruling party was doing a good job.
“I am happy with the way things are going.
“We just need to improve education and infrastructure and stop government corruption.
“I know the ANC has failed in certain things but if we vote for them we give them the chance to rectify their mistakes.”
According to Qengqani, the electorate was not voting for freedom as this had already been achieved.
“I am voting for the ANC as I believe we have no other choice.”
Political parties have geared their election campaigns to attract this new set of idealistic, youthful voters.
Both the ANC and the DA focused on job creation for youth while the new kid on the block, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), claim to represent “the true interests and aspirations” of the youth.
While parties have targeted the youth in their election campaigns, figures put the registration of 18- and 19-year-olds at just 36% – well below the national registration rate of 77%.
According to the Electoral Commission only one third of eligible 18- to 19-year-olds had registered to vote – a total of 683201.
However, in the next bracket, the number of 20- to 29-year-old registered voters was at 5.8-million, some 61% of those eligible to vote.
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