Creating one million jobs for the poor, a monthly basic income grant of about R110 and an unemployment allowance of at least R500 per month.
These were among some of the promises made by political parties during the two-month-long election campaign leading up to South Africa’s third multiracial elections.
But Wednesday April 14 belonged to millions of ordinarily South Africans who spoke their minds through the polls.
Despite being disillusioned about the lack of service delivery in their area, residents of Diepsloot, a sprawling settlement on the outskirts of Johannesburg, turned out in their thousands to cast their votes on Wednesday.
”I’ve been here since 12.15am,” said Martin Seanego, an unemployed father of three. ”I wanted to make sure I vote for the government of my choice.”
Unlike many in Diepsloot who are still trapped in shacks, Seanego has been a little more fortunate to get a Reconstruction and Development Programme house.
”But still I can’t say I am happy because I’m not working. I am struggling to support my wife and children.
”Hopefully my vote today will make a different. Maybe in the near future, I will find a job,” said Seanego.
Petrus Molepo is one of thousands of people who were forcefully removed from the Jukskei river bank in Alexandra to Diepsloot in 2001.
Along with 21 000 residents, Molepo was dumped on a tiny plot in Diepsloot, after being told that it was a reception area where they should live for three months while waiting for their houses to be build.
Desperate for shelter at the time, the residents put together corrugated iron and cardboard homes with no electricity, no running water or sanitation.
”It is now three years since I’ve been staying here, but nothing has come out. It is clear that government cares less about us. I can’t see what they are doing for us. The only time you see them is when they need us to vote for them,” Molepo said.
Despite a growth in the number of permanent homes, shelter for many in this community of about 150 000 residents consists of shacks erected from iron, wood, plastic and cardboard.
”You can see for yourself that this place is not suitable for human beings. It’s very dirty. We are just staying because we have no other place to go,” said 21-year-old Asnath Kuna, who came to cast her vote for the first time.
Linky Ramaite, who just turned 18, could not hide her excitement.
”I haven’t felt this happy for a long time in my life. I heard people talking of freedom in our country. I don’t know how it came about.
”Today I also want to contribute. As the youth, I believe we also need to participate to show we are concerned about the future of our country.”
Like many in the area, Ramaite is worried about the level of unemployment and crime in her area.
”I completed standard 10 [matric] two years ago, but still I can’t get a job. My parents are not working. We only depend on the child grants allocated to my child and younger sister.”
Right beside the poverty-stricken township of Diepsloot is the affluent suburb of Fourways.
Tom Ansley was among the many voters who braved the scorching sun to cast his vote.
”I believe my vote will influence the way the country is run. In most ways, we are a better country today. It is a wonderful feeling to be in a free country like South Africa,” said Ansley.
The government that Ansley wants to see in power is one that tackles crime and unemployment.
”If we reduce unemployment in this country, we can get the crime rate down.”
Ansley said the health-care system in the country needs a lot of attention.
Thato Malope is one of the few blacks who are now staying in the rich suburb.
”Ten years ago, we did not have a chance to vote. I can’t afford to miss this opportunity to vote today.
”The ANC [African National Congress] government has made a huge difference to the lives of many people in the country. I might not have benefited but millions did.
”It took 48 years for the National Party to destroy this country. But people expect miracles out of the ANC government in just 10 years in power.
”Compared to the NP, I think the ANC has done fairly better,” said Malope.
Meanwhile, Gugu Matlaopane, the Gauteng provincial electoral officer, said her office had to bring in additional staff in various areas of Johannesburg as the queues grew longer.
”The queues are still very long in some areas of Johannesburg. We are still waiting for report from Tshwane,” said Matlaopane on Wednesday afternoon.
Alexandra upbeat despite housing crisis
Meanwhile, reports Mmanaledi Mataboge, the voting mood was fairly upbeat in Alexandra township in Johannesburg. Two hours before the planned closure of voting stations, hundreds were still flocking to various polling stations around the township.
The IEC can safely depend on a solid contribution from the over-populated Alexandra.
Though many people claimed to have voted for the ruling African National Congress, it was clear they still had problems with the ruling party and new voters had the opportunity to choose the political party that best suited their needs.
”It was exciting,” said Snooky Kadiaka (19) a student at Alex College. ”I voted for the president that I trust will bring better changes.”
Kadiaka said she voted for Tony Leon’s Democratic Alliance.
She said even if the DA does not win the elections, it is an advantage to have representatives from different parties in Parliament.
”They will advise one another on issues that need government’s attention,” said Kadiaka.
Alexandra still needs to be developed, according to her.
”We need proper housing. And also, it’s not nice sharing a toilet with many people.”
About 10 households share a yard in the township and use one toilet.
”Alex is still filthy, it needs cleaning.”
Kadiaka’s friend, Salome Molope (20), also cast her vote for the DA.
”Mbeki takes more care of foreigners than our own people,” she said.
Molope said instead of the government giving people social grants, it should rather send youths to school with that money.
”After I finish my studies I will work and in return, I can help my sister or cousin who has a child.”
Though there was still a visible increase in the voting activity, many people claimed to have already voted. A queue at Dr Knak Primary School at 10th Avenue was about 300m long and still growing.
Across the street, a group of seven people were sitting in a semi-circle, drinking beers. Among them was a one-year-old boy sitting on his mother’s lap.
”He is sick,” said his father, Aaron Mphofe (31).
Mphofe said he took his son to Johannesburg hospital last week and instead of telling him what the problem is, the nurses asked him what kind of a place he is living in.
”I think they were afraid to tell me he’s sickened by an unhygienic environment.”
A stone’s throw from where this group was sitting was a row of four toilets. But it was the only place they could relax in as there was no space in their yard.
Patrick Malematja (49), a neighbour of Mphofeng, popped in.
”Look at these toilets, just next to the school. They’re not healthy for children.”
Their other neighbour, Jennifer Motaung (36), could not hide her anger towards the ruling ANC.
”How many times have I voted for the ANC? I’m tired,” she said.
But on Wednesday she voted for the ANC for the third time.
”Maybe they’ll change,” she said.
Motaung accused the ANC of not building proper houses for the people of Alexandra as it has been promising since 1994.
Though a fair number of houses have been built in Alexandra, they are far from accommodating all the residents of this overcrowded township.
Malematja was not stressed about his favourite political party.
”They are going to change, like it or not. If we have to force them, we are going to do that.”
He said civil disobedience would show the government how angry the people of Alexandra are.
Voting was continuing as normal in the township, but with the way people were showing up at a last minute, officials were preparing for a very long night.
Special Report: Elections 2004