Johannesburg – There was an extremely high turnout as millions of determined South Africans took part in the South African polls on Wednesday.
Many first-time “born free” voters also took part 20 years after South Africa gained independence.
Ruling African National Congress (ANC) is widely expected to claim a fifth consecutive term in power, but strong turnout in South Africa’s cities could prove a boon for the party’s political foes.
According to Vote watchdog, the Independent Electoral Commission, reported “extremely high turnout at voting stations, especially those in urban and metro areas where long queues continue to be experienced.”
This election, according to commentators is the last one to be dominated by the memory of apartheid.
“I am kind of nervous, thinking ‘Have I made a good decision or not?'” said Lesedi Nene aged 19.
– ‘This is our right’ –
A total of 25 million voters registered to vote amid growing anger over joblessness, inequality and corruption.
“People died for this right. They must not waste it,” said Nobel peace laureate Desmond Tutu, a liberation struggle veteran who has said openly he will not vote for the ANC this time.
A day before the elections isolated incidents of violence were reported and this saw the deployment of police and 1,850 troops to maintain order.
“We should fight with our votes, let our votes do the talking, not violence,” said Mziwamadoda Ngceke, proudly sporting the purple-blue indelible mark on his right thumb that showed he had voted.
President Jacob Zuma cast his ballot in his home village of Nkandla, where he expressed hope that “all voters will cast their votes without any problems because this is our right, which we fought for.”
Zuma admitted the election campaign had been “very challenging.”
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