101-year-old gogo casts her vote in Katlehong

It was a jolly atmosphere at Mogobeng Primary School in Katlehong where many voters, including 101-year-old MmaLeah Motaung, came out to vote.

Johannesburg - It was a jolly atmosphere at Mogobeng Primary School on Wednesday.

Among the many cars parked outside the Katlehong school was a Quantum taxi transporting about 12 grandmothers who were ready to cast the vote for their favourite party.

One of the grannies was 101-year-old MmaLeah Motaung.

Dressed in ANC regalia, Motaung made sure she took the time to make her mark.

“I’m voting ANC because I know the importance of this occasion and when I went inside to cast the vote I did not hesitate to make the most of it.”

When ANC mayor elect for Ekurhuleni, Mzwandile Masina, arrived at the school, he made sure he greeted the elders first.

Motaung told Masina that she had cast her vote for him and hoped to see him do more for the community.

Mogobeng primary school voting station a bit slow not many people showing up as yet #election2016 @mojoIOL @IOL pic.twitter.com/1668S0a3zH

— IG: MojoIOL (@mojoIOL) August 3, 2016

“I’ve been well received all over as a candidate and our people have come out in numbers. The aged are the ancestors of the ANC who are still alive and they know the ANC and apartheid and its dangers.”

Masina said he was happy to see the elderly who raised him and knew his parents. He said he paid no mind to stories that claimed that he was not from Ekurhuleni.

“We know what we stand for, the ANC has given us an opportunity to lead our people and we’ll do so with dignity over the next five years.”

Masina said the message from President Jacob Zuma was clear, it was unfortunate that there were black people who associated with white parties which had oppressed black people.

“But because we are a democracy we accept it. That is why we have to go through these processes to ensure that we convince our people to stick to the party which has liberated them.”

He said he wished those who chose other parties well but said they would not “confuse our people”.

“I grew up in the dusty streets just here, there was no tarred road, the schools were in shambles, few houses had electricity, things have changed so I’m proud of the work the ANC has done over the past 22 years.”

Masina added that even if people did not vote, they would still be governed.

“Our message through the youth league here is that people must take responsibility. There will be a lot of young people who will be voting, we are happy we’ve been able to get the message across.”

Masina said the ANC would tackle the unemployment problem in the municipalities and also focus on housing.

“Where I grew up there a lot of back yard dwellers indicating that we need to be responsive on the pace in building houses for people. Our localised manifesto is committed to building over 100 000 houses over the next five years and also make available 59 000 service stands so people can build there own homes.”

He said the approach from human settlement must not just be about building RDP houses, but rather looking into other avenues.

Masina said he was sure the ANC would come out strong in Ekurhuleni.

“I’m sure we will shock many of you. As you know that on other areas we are being challenged quite heavily, here there is no challenge.”

mpiletso.motumi@inl.co.za

Elections Bureau