Votes in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg, on Wednesday said their biggest concerns were a lack of housing and job creation.
The Alexandra Children’s Library in 3rd Avenue had a queue about 500m long outside its gates by 9am on Wednesday morning. A few younger voters wore headphones as they queued, which was comprised of mostly elderly people.
“I’m hoping for change, and I think my party can do it. We need jobs and houses. And there’s too much rubbish here,” said one woman.
A crowd had gathered outside the centre, amid excitement of a rumoured “after party” as music blared from taxis.
One man, who preferred not to give his name, said his biggest concern was job creation.
“People are walking in the street here in the middle of the day. I can’t be happy about that. But I think if I vote for the same party it will change because now they will want to help our people.”
However, one 70-year-old pensioner said he hadn’t voted for the same party. “I’ve been voting for the same party since 1994,” said Adam Mello.
“This time I didn’t vote for the same party. I voted with my thoughts.
“I’ve seen no change. I’ve been on the housing list since 1996 and every time I go for one [house] they tell me I must still wait. I see these houses going up in front of me. I hope somebody will change something for me.”
Sibongile August wore a blue Democratic Alliance T-shirt. She said she had voted for a different party in the hope it would bring her a house.
“We live in shacks here. In Alexandra, people are poor and we are not getting better.”
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