JOHANNESBURG - Political party leaders have cast their votes in Wednesday’s local government elections, as queues begin to form at voting stations across the country.
In Johannesburg, President Cyril Ramaphosa and First Lady Tshepo Motsepe cast their votes at Hyde Park High School.
Speaking to reporters outside the voting station, Ramaphosa said he was in a confident and jovial mood.
“I’m in a very confident and jovial mood. This is a great day for all South Africans but especially for the ANC,” he said.
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In Cape Town, Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Geordin Hill-Lewis voted at Edgemead Primary School, where he encouraged South Africans to turn out in large numbers.
Speaking to the media, Hill-Lewis said voters faced a choice between progress and regression.
“Every election comes down to a simple choice between two directions: do you want to go forward or do you want to risk going backwards? In the rest of South African cities, we unfortunately see the firm and relentless slide in the direction of backwards. I hope that will be top of mind when people vote today,” he said.
DA mayoral candidate Helen Zille voted at Emmarentia Primary School in Randburg.
Zille said addressing Johannesburg’s water crisis would be her top priority if she became mayor.
“If 50 suburbs haven’t had water since last weekend, that is a major crisis for a city the size of Joburg. Some people can afford to buy water, others can’t. Our first port of call will be to mobilise resources to try and address the water crisis,” she said.
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ActionSA leader and Johannesburg mayoral candidate Herman Mashaba also expressed confidence in his party’s performance.
Speaking on the sidelines of voting at a polling station in Sandton, Mashaba attributed his confidence to his party’s work on the ground.
“We will hit the ground running. I worked hard with communities who are victims of ANC mismanagement and corruption. We worked hard to ensure they understand the power of their votes,” he said.
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Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane cast his vote at the Dobsonville Presbyterian Church of Africa, accompanied by his parents.
Maimane said his vote was about ensuring that government delivers basic services, including water, creates employment opportunities and grows the economy.
“When it’s said and done, whilst I am here today without water, this vote is about saying let’s put a government in place that will deliver water and basic services and make sure that young people who cannot find work, find work and citizens who are unemployed know their economy can grow,” he said.
In Durban, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party first deputy president Duduzane Zuma cast his vote at Roseland Primary School in Newlands East.
He also urged citizens to make their voices heard at the polls.
“We have a difference to make. MK is a party that’s taking over. If you want meaningful change and see people being pulled out of poverty, this party is for you,” Zuma said.