Voters brave the rain to make their mark

• Author: Shahied Joseph shahied.joseph@inl.co.za
• Published date: 04 November 2021
• Publication title: Atlantic Sun

Physical distancing was not always strictly adhered to but everyone wore masks within the voting perimeters.

At Schotsche Kloof Primary in Bo-Kaap, voters stood happily chatting to each other despite waiting for nearly 30 minutes for the polls to open.

“It started a bit late, I’d say about half an hour late, but when it opened it moved smoothly and quickly,” said Stefan Ferreira.

“I voted for the opposition as the local council needs a challenge to say the least. I would like to see the Bo-Kaap keep its character, its history. I’d like to see better job opportunities here and I’d like to see the assets being used better for the community and to see more investment that you see in other parts of Cape Town, I don’t think this area gets the same priority.”

ANC candidate Jacqueline Poking voted at the school and says that she wants Bo-Kaap to be a ward on its own. The neighbourhood is in the same ward as Tamboerskloof, Oranjezicht and Zonnebloem.

“We are in a ward that is diverse; Bo-Kaap is a small part of it. The needs of Bo-Kaap is different from the rest and it would make sense to be a ward on its own,” said Ms Poking.

At Jan Van Riebeeck High, the voters formed a lengthy, quiet, queue in the hallways of the school, and this was all before the rain started.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde cast his vote there and had this advice for the next ward councillor: “I started off as a councillor in 1996 and you are the interface between the government and the citizens, you’re a public representative and if they vote for you, you need to be there for their interests to fight on their behalf, making sure your voice is heard in that council,” Mr Winde said of the role of the ward councillor.

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DA candidate Francine Higham was stationed outside the school

“The response from the community was positive and people know that we have good governance and I’m looking forward to representing this community as their councillor if I’m elected today,” said Ms Higham.

At Sea Point High, the voters crammed into a foyer as the rain swept them inside. An elderly couple were allowed to skip the queue by fellow voters, and they had their ID captured before entering the school hall to vote. The residents were pleased with the process.

“I voted for change. We can’t go on like this, load shedding, corruption and so on and you have to vote, it’s your right to vote. The process to vote went well,” said Andre Wessels

“I want this area to be cleaned up, that’s why I voted,” said...