South African President Cyril Ramaphosa returned to his childhood home in Soweto to cast his vote, and likened Wednesday’s Election Day to that of the first democratic election in 1994, after witnessing the high voter turnout at voting stations across the country.
Some 26.7 million South Africans are flocking to voting stations for the national and provincial elections whose ballot boxes were opened at 7am (0500 GMT) and will close at 7pm, according to the Independence Elections Commission (IEC).
“The response to the voting has been amazing. The people are energised to cast their vote. They are heralding a new dawn and a period of hope.
“This is a vote that reminds us of 1994, when our people were just as excited as this. Our people are really excited,” a jovial Ramaphosa in a dark jacket and open shirt said after casting his vote at Hitekani Primary School in Chiawelo, Soweto. He was joined by his spouse, Tshepo Motsepe, to the voting station.
The leader of the ruling African National Congress party said voters had come out in their droves to vote for a government that would serve them and their aspirations and that they had the confidence that his party could do so after the polling.
“I am humbled by the turnout here today. There is a great vibe – a vibe for democracy,” the president said surrounded by the media and supporters.
He said he hoped the outcome of the election would be in line with what the people wish – to see a country that is working, adding that he was committed to working to grow the economy and attract investment — and that the election was a boost for investor confidence.
Ramaphosa said the new mandate he expected to get from the voters was that government must hasten service delivery. He said while corruption and patronage had got in the way, government has realised the mistakes it has committed and was ready to correct them.
“We are saying the people should reinvest their confidence in us. The commissions of enquiry are revealing a lot and we are saying we are going to correct the ways of the past.”
He appealed to those who were protesting rather than voting that it was not the best way for their concerns to be heard. “I say that it is not the right way of raising your issues – vote and then say I voted because I want my need addressed.”
NM/jn/APA