Tannie Evita: 'Your vote is secret and sacred'
At 91, South Africa's unofficial First Lady of Politics joined the voters’ queue in Darling.
Celeste Martin
Tannie Evita. Picture: Facebook/@Evita se Perron
Facebook/@Evita se Perron
The country's unofficial First Lady of Politics, Tannie Evita Bezuidenhout, has urged South Africans not to take their democratic right to vote for granted as voting in the 2026 Local Government elections is underway.
Speaking from Darling on the West Coast, where she was waiting in the voting queue, the 91-year-old described the experience as an opportunity for communities to come together and exercise their democratic rights.
"... it's a wonderful experience... where we just don't take it for granted.
"We don't need a crystal ball to see what's going to happen to South Africa tomorrow.
"... it's amazing how important it is not to forget the past. Remember where we come from so we can celebrate where we are going. For all those years you were not allowed to vote, remember?"
She also encouraged voters not to be intimidated or pressured into supporting a particular party or candidate, reminding them that their choices remain private.
"[It] is very important that people know the vote is secret. The vote is sacred.
"It's the secret that you share with you and yourself. So, people mustn't be frightened. They must just go and do it."
Tannie Evita urged South Africans to turn out and vote, emphasising that the decision belongs to each individual and should reflect their hopes for their future, their children and their communities.