82-year-old Soweto voter says she is yet to see meaningful change since 1994
The 82-year-old Diepkloof resident, who asked not to be named, is among members of the elderly community participating in special voting at Diepkloof East.
Alpha Ramushwana
Footprints Hospice Voting Station in Diepkloof, Soweto
An elderly Soweto resident who cast her ballot on Monday said that she has seen little change since voting for the first time in 1994.
The 82-year-old Diepkloof resident, who asked not to be named, is among members of the elderly community participating in special voting at Diepkloof East.
Special voting began Monday and will continue until Tuesday ahead of the general voting day on Wednesday, when other registered voters are expected to cast their ballots.
Footprints Hospice in Diepkloof is a facility that provides care for members of the community who are unable to look after themselves.
The IEC has also established a voting station within the hospice, making it easier for people living with disabilities, those with terminal illnesses, and elderly residents to exercise their democratic right to vote.
Several residents are already seated and receiving assistance from IEC-trained personnel to ensure they can cast their ballots with ease.
Despite her frustration with poor service delivery, this 82-year-old woman said that voting is one right she will never give up.
"My children are jobless. And when our children are unemployed, elderly mothers suffer the most. So I’m hoping my vote will bring a change."
Having voted in every election since South Africa’s first democratic election, the woman told Eyewitness News that she is still waiting to see meaningful change.
Shortly after casting her ballot for this year’s local government elections, she emphasised that the frustrations of unemployment have been a nightmare for her children, some of whom continue to depend on her social grant.
She has expressed gratitude that her household has access to electricity, but said that the supply was unreliable.
“I can’t keep voting for nothing. The people we vote for need to do better. I’m so frustrated. I mean, what’s going on?” asked the resident.
While she remains frustrated over the lack of adequate service delivery, the elderly woman said she’ll never stop voting.
About 2.6 million people are registered for special voting across the country, while 29 million South Africans are registered to vote.