'We are voting because we want change'

By 5.30am, hundreds of Enkanini informal settlement residents had braved Cape Town’s chilly weather to vote.

Cape Town - By 5.30am, hundreds of Enkanini informal settlement residents had braved Cape Town’s chilly weather to be among the first to cast their votes.

The informal settlement in Khayelitsha has been plagued by violent protests in the run up to local government elections. Residents from the area have been demanding proper sanitation, houses and safety.

The informal settlement is among the areas with the highest number of mob justice incidents.

The ANC put up controversial Ses’khona People’s Rights Movement Andile Lili as its candidate while the DA is represented by Mongezi Conjwa.

Pensioner and mother of three, Christina Smith, who was among the first to cast their votes believes her vote will go a long way in shaping the future of her children.

“I am old. I am not doing this for me. This is also for my children. Besides the fact that we don't have proper sanitation, we hope our votes will bring more services like a clinic and schools. We are having to go to a neigbouring township to get health service,” she said.

Resident Monica Khuhlani said they were happy that they had access to water and electricity,but the government needed to fast track its delivery of houses.

“We are voting because we want change in our community. We can’t live like this for all our lives. We want to see change,” she said.

Election Bureau