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South Africa votes in 2009 presidential elections
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by Miriam Mannak | April 22, 2009 at 05:41 am
2317 views | 80 Recommendations | 13 comments
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Five years after the last presidential elections and exactly fifteen years after Apartheid was abolished, South Africans across the country are voting once again.
It is busy at the community centre in the heart of Imizamo Yethu, a small township just outside of Cape Town, despite the fact that is barely seven in the morning. Hundreds of people are queuing outside the mosaïcked structure, while various parties are setting up their stands alongside the pavements.
It is for the third time the people of this young democracy, and it is busier then the previous elections. "People were here at five o'clock already," says an election officer on duty. "They want to be certain that they are able to cast their votes. Despite the fact that by law, employers are obliged to give their staff the day off today, many people who live here can't afford to take the day off. Poverty, you see? So they came here early to cast their votes before going to work."
A woman dressed in a red shirt smiles and points up her thumb, which is adorned with a thick inky spot. "I am so happy I voted," she said. "It is time for change. The ANC has failed this country. Look around you. The only thing you can are shacks, shacks shacks. Most South Africans live this way. We do not have jobs, our children's education is inadequate and the health system is even worse. Nothing has changed for us over the past fifteen years. That it is time for another party to take over."
The woman, who does not want to disclose her name but is happy to be photographed, says she voted for Congress of the People (COPE), the newest kid on the South African political block. "I trust them", she says before walking off.
Babalwa on the other hand, is a hundred percent pro Jacob Zuma - the president of South Africa';s ruling party the African National Congress (ANC). "He understands us, because he used to be poor too," she says, showing off her bright yellow T-shirt with a portrait of her hero. "He will bring change, that's for sure. Thabo Mbeki was a loser. Zuma will d much better."
It is almost certain Zuma will become South Africa's next president, as the ANC has remained the country;s most powerful political party. The question is whether they will win the 2/3 majority of the votes, which is necessary in order to be able to change the constitution.
"That Zuma will win, that is a fact," says Margaret from Cape Town. "But I hope the ANC will not be able to change the constitution because that will mean Zuma will remain president for a very long time, especially if the decision is made to make amendments to the number of terms a president can rule. At the moment that is two terms of each five years, maximum."
Margaret voted for the Democratic Alliance (DA), she said. "We need a strong opposition. Besides, I do not like Zuma. He has unprotected sex with an HIV-positive woman while having four wives, he was charged with corruption ... I do not think he is to be trusted. Then again - the people seem to like him and there is nothing I can change about that. Let';s see what happens, maybe we are in for a surprise."
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (13)
at 06:05 on April 22nd, 2009
This is a defining election for South Africa- thanks for posting about this.
(Is that woman who singlehandedly runs the medical center at Imizamo Yethu still there? She's amazing)
at 06:56 on April 22nd, 2009
I am glad to read that South African take democracy serious and come is such masses even though they can not afford to take the day off.
Sadly this can not be said for other democracies around the Globe.
Changing the constitution or amending it should be done by referendum in my view and not by any given government no mater what the number of seats they have.
This was tried recently in Niger and caused massive protest and civil unrest.
at 10:00 on April 22nd, 2009
"Bring me my machine gun" Now that's a statement. Education, who needs education. Even though Zuma didn't graduate from primary school he will still be president. Unprotected sex with an HIV positive woman, no problem, just have a shower. 568 charges of corruption, in any other country he would resign from politics immediately.
Well this is South Africa in 2009, the highest murder rate in the world - Zuma doesn't care, he wants to be president with a two thirds majority so he can rule for 30 years like Mugabe. Now, where is that machine gun?
at 17:29 on April 22nd, 2009
I totally agree with you. Where is the justice in this world people are getting murdered and raped left right and centre, and now they are going to vote in an ignorant person who thinks that you wont get HIV if you have a shower. Things are not as rosy in South Africa as people are led or even brainwashed to believe. I speak from experience. That is why we have left South Africa and will never return there. My kids arent safe they cant even go to school without being threatened with petrol bombs. I feel sorry for those who are blind and even more sorry for those who are not and are stuck there with no where to go. WELCOME TO THE NEW ZIMBABWE
at 03:50 on April 23rd, 2009
gee u people overseas are WACK!!!!!!!!!!how do u talk such rubbish about my country ..............this is my homeland.....i am south african and damm proud of it.......how can u tell people such decietful lies ......i live in 1 of the roughests parts of jozi and not once hav i seen a child thrown by anything ,let alone petrol bombs........dont you know how expensive petrol actually is????anyway im glad u left coz u jst talkS.H1.T!!!
at 11:51 on April 22nd, 2009
Thanks for this story, keep us updated if you can.
at 03:07 on April 23rd, 2009
FACT ZUMA ROCKSSSSS 100% ........ANC MY FUTURE MY VISION MY PARTY
at 12:39 on April 23rd, 2009
zuma is the man to trust
at 04:06 on April 23rd, 2009
by the way im nt even a supporter of zuma ......so if u feel personally insaulted then u will knw how i feel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!p.s if u hav moved 2 england u r in a worst position........take a look at the economy ........its crumbling..........the police are accesivly violent and the priminister is a tart,,,,,,,,so next time ,jst remember that some of us didnt want zuma but thats no reason to dishonour our country!!!!!!!C.O.P.E ALL THE WAY!!!!!
at 04:06 on April 23rd, 2009
by the way im nt even a supporter of zuma ......so if u feel personally insaulted then u will knw how i feel!!!!!!!!!!!!!!p.s if u hav moved 2 england u r in a worst position........take a look at the economy ........its crumbling..........the police are accesivly violent and the priminister is a tart,,,,,,,,so next time ,jst remember that some of us didnt want zuma but thats no reason to dishonour our country!!!!!!!C.O.P.E ALL THE WAY!!!!!
at 07:48 on April 23rd, 2009
It is so sad that such a beautiful country will be operated by a man who is corrupted. He preaches about God and goodwill to win votes, yet will drive South Africa's economy down. He is everything against Mandela's priorities and even desmond tutu - and world peace demonstrator of south africa has voted against the ANC. I def think some poorer parts of the nation have been brain washed because they cannot not see the bigger scenario and only the promises made by Zuma.
THe hard work of Mandela is all being washed down the drain in front of our own eyes by Zuma. In any country regardless of your raise, if you were born there and raised there you certainly are part of the country. Zuma is obviously living in his own evil world of trying to rule south africa and does not really care about the nation's future.
Unfortunately a lot of true south africans have had to move out of south africa b'coz they know what a downfall Zuma is going to cause.
For zack8, how could you honestly compare the recession to the UK only. As everybody knows, obviously besides you, the whole world including south africa is suffering from this recession but the UK's political system is doing something active that could benefit south africa's exports and country's Gross domestic output. Atleast the UK makes their system controversial and tried to demolish the weakness of security. south africa's protection system is very weak and corrupted and the UK is all fairness a better state to be than South Africa... especially now with Zuma ruining everything.
I feel sorry for south africans ( all race at all levels on the wealth heirarchy) cse Zuma will not benefit this country but prob make it worst.
at 23:02 on April 23rd, 2009
yeah it is a sad day for all us..... we have been thinking about leaving SA but love our country so much, but for the sake of our children, we have now made a decision to leave. zuma will only behave till the soccer 2010 is over and then after that, what is going to stop him? we are going down! i am not prepared to stay and watch my beloved country being flushed down the drain by him!
at 23:29 on April 23rd, 2009
god help south africa ....reallly.... help south africa , now with ZUma in lead....