Election Day got underway to a very positive start at 7am today as voting stations across South Africa opened and voters arrived in high numbers to cast their votes in the National and Provincial Elections, says IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo.
Sowetans young and old have expressed optimism at the positive future prospects presented by casting their votes during today’s 2019 National and Provincial election.
Anti-apartheid campaigner Denis Goldberg, who is one of the two Rivonia Trialists still alive, said voting and determining South Africa’s democracy is what his generation always wanted.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has likened today’s Election Day to that of the first democratic election in 1994, after witnessing the high voter turnout at voting stations across the country.
Most voting stations in Pretoria opened on time this morning as voting got off to a smooth start.
Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies says the right to vote is a hard-fought one, and that registered voters should make use of the privilege to make a difference.
Government has called on all South Africans, especially young and first-time voters, to exercise their democratic right to vote.
Higher Education Minister Naledi Pandor says she hopes young people will come out in their numbers to vote today in order to determine the future of South Africa.
The country’s correctional facilities are ready to allow inmates to participate in the National and Provincial Elections today.
As Election Day marks the beginning of a process of forming the 6th democratic Parliament, the Presiding Officers of Parliament have encouraged South Africans to cast their votes.
