Students celebrate ‘special occasion’ vote

Several Sol Plaatje University students in Kimberley said it was a ‘proud day’ as they cast their votes for the first time.

Kimberley - It was a “proud day” for students of the Sol Plaatje University (SPU) in Kimberley who flocked to voting stations on Wednesday to cast their votes.

Several students, many making their first mark as voters, on Wednesday put aside their books to vote in the local government elections.

At the Newton Primary School voting station, students from the Sol Plaatje University’s main campus in New Park were seen queuing to make their crosses, with many indicating that they would be voting for parties that would address issues affecting them directly.

Velaphi Mabaso, 22, a third-year Retail Management student, said that he was extremely excited to be voting for the first time.

“Today is a very special occasion, as we have the opportunity to vote and make a change that will see South Africa turning into a better country. The youths especially are plagued by challenges such as unemployment, which in turn leads to the high crime rate. We, as young South Africans, today have the opportunity to vote in a party that can address these issues. I am voting for change,” Mabaso said.

Another student, Vuyolwethu George, 21, also a third-year Retail Management student at the university, said that he too would be voting for a change in the current leadership.

“In Kimberley, infrastructure development is non-existent and corruption inside the ruling party is crippling our economy and development. I want to see the situation change and that is why I am voting today. The youth are the ones who need to take the future of South Africa into their hands,” George said.

Mohokare Makeno, 20, a third-year education student and first-time voter, added that young people were currently facing with serious challenges, such as access to education.

“In my home town many young people have matric but are sitting at home as there are simply no opportunities for them. Others, with qualifications, are unemployed and weighed down by study debt because they cannot find work. That is why I am voting for a party that promises free, well-resourced education. I am very happy to be able to contribute to bettering the lives of others through my vote,” Makeno said.

However, back at the SPU main campus, several students were seen enjoying the public holiday, saying that they could not be bothered to vote.

Aobakwe Majatlhako, a first-year BA student, said he had not registered to vote as he was “not into politics”.

“Perhaps next time I will make the effort, but at the moment I don’t see much use in voting,” he said.

Oupa Maine, a first-year IT student, shared Majatlhako’s sentiments and said he did not expect his vote to change anything.

“Political parties are all corrupt and it doesn’t really matter who is in charge,” he said.

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