DURBAN - On the eve of the local government elections, the Daily News asked Durbanites what change they anticipated and hoped for after casting their vote. This is what they had to say:
Thulani Shezi, 27, South Beach:
“I absolutely see no reason for me to vote because no changes really come out of casting our votes. I can show you my identity card. I have voted all the previous years since I was legally approved to vote, but we are still faced with the same issues we had back then. In fact, I think we have more problems on top of the ones we had when I was 18 years old. We have no job opportunities and as someone who makes a living from the beach sand, I think even the eThekwini Municipality is playing with us by making us pay while we make so little.
Our work is seasonal. We only make money during the holidays and it is not much yet the municipality makes us pay monthly fees for using the sand. This is not the democratic country our forefathers fought for. This government has no job opportunities and when you try one for yourself, they still suck you dry.”
Salma Bhayat, 44, Musgrave:
“I am voting because I would like to make a change. If I do not vote, then I would not be able to make a change. If I do not have a voice, then there would be no point in complaining when you have not taken any steps that the government has given us and an opportunity to have a voice. By voting, I hope we see change in electricity because the load shedding has been on our necks for days. I would like to see the country run better. People have lost their jobs and everything has become expensive. The prices of everything that we need have increased; I think prices need to decrease to accommodate everyone including those who have lost their jobs. I would also like to see the government make funding available to all those businesses that suffered during the unrest.”
Vaughan Bennewith, 50, Berea:
“I am voting because my vote must count. I want to make a difference. I would like to see better governance and an improvement in infrastructure. I know this does not count in the local elections, but I would also like to see the Departments of Health and Home Affairs improve their services and availability to help the citizens. I would like to see every improvement generally. I think it has been declining for years. I think it is important that our politicians become aware that we need improvement. I want to try and make a difference and I hope more young people would take this opportunity and vote.”
Morne van Wyk, 42, Pietermaritzburg:
“I am only voting because I am a proud South African and I love my country and I still believe we are stronger together. We all can still have a say in the country and the direction that we (are) going or that we believe is best for our communities in terms of service delivery and the basic needs for everybody. This is the one opportunity that we have to align ourselves with policies and what we think is best for the country. I think our government should take responsibility to look after those in need, widows and parents. We should live in a country where there should be food for everybody, shelter and necessities because that is everyone’s right. I would like to see that change in my town and the whole country.”
Simangaliso Mthethwa, 18, Berea:
“I want to see change in the government. I believe the old government is not or has not made anything changes to the things we grew up hearing our parents complaining about. This includes the forever increasing unemployment rate in the country. We cannot shy away from the fact that there is a high number of foreign nationals in our country. They sell everything cheaper which costs our people and our parents their jobs. I want to vote for a party that wants to see South Africans thrive. The party that will agree that we need to monitor our borders and look out for corruption in the country.”
Nombuso Machi, 38, Folweni:
“I don’t think I will ever vote again. The corruption we experience in this country is way too much for one to still have hope for change. The corruption rate is very high from the government, politicians, municipalities and everyone. My family and I survive through me selling ice cream at the beachfront, but what we went through as street vendors during the hard lockdown took all my hope in this country as a whole. We were supposed to get money for Covid-19 relief from the municipality but all that money was received by only 15 people while most of us suffered. What type of government will let that happen under their leadership?”
Luyanda Mthembu, 18, Wentworth:
I am voting because I would like to see change. I want to see peace and unity in our country. I dream of a country where there is no poverty, and jobs are available. We cannot study this hard from high school to university and get degrees and end up sitting at home doing nothing. I just hope change will be implemented for real.”
Carol King, 66, Glenwood:
“I am going to vote because if I do not then that means I would not be practising my social responsibility as a South African citizen. I am accountable for fulfilling my civic duty which should benefit myself and the whole of society. I believe it is my duty to raise my voice through casting my vote.”
Veroz Jaffar, 50, Westville:
“I will be voting, but my main concern is which party to vote for. I have not seen any party worthy of my vote or the changes that I would like to see. However, I will be doing it because it is the right thing to do. I have not reached any decision as to which party I will vote for. I have a few of the better ones in mind, but I am not a 100% sure about them. I am still contemplating ideas in my head, but I will have figured it out (today).”
Abas Mohamed, 56, Richards Bay:
“I am definitely voting because I believe my vote is going to make a change. I would like to see better services and a better way of life for everyone. I feel like, as people of this country we have been deprived a lot by people who are corrupted with bribes and corruption in general. I just hope whoever wins the election will be selfless and improve the lives of the vulnerable and bring about good change that is needed.”
Owethu Gwala, 18, Glenwood:
“I will not be voting because I did not register to vote. I am doing my matric and I felt like I was already occupied preparing for my exams and making sure that all the varsities that I applied to had all my applications and documents required. I honestly felt like registering to vote would also be taking a lot of my time while I should be studying and preparing for my future.”
Alicia Potgieter, 18, Durban North:
“I will vote for change and because I want to see proper democracy for our country. I also think I am voting because we are privileged to have the right to vote alone so I want to make sure I use and practise that for our benefit.”
Daily News