Lenasia youth snub voting for gambling

Some youth in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg, say while they registered to vote, they won't be casting their votes on Wednesday because they still have not decided who to vote for.

On Wednesday, Sowetan found some of the youth gambling at a street corner.

Bongani Efalao, 23, said he felt hopeless and did not know who to give his vote to.

"Whether we vote or not, our situation is not going to change. I personally don't know who to vote for. I don't trust politicians because they say anything to get votes, so it really doesn't make sense for me to actually vote.

"Look how we live," Efalao said while pointing at some of the homes.

"Look at these house structures and our roads. We want water and electricity but nothing seems to be working here and politicians like making so many promises. I will decide later if I should still go and vote but for now, I am still undecided," Efalao  said late on Wednesday.

Another resident, Itumeleng Ditlhaleng, 24, said he had little faith in politicians. "I feel a sense of hopelessness because I don't think there is anyone who would bring change. There is a lot of corruption in government, so how do we trust them?"

Sowetan visited a voting station in Lenasia which had a relatively small queue. 

An IEC official at the Protea Recreation Centre voting station in Lenz said the queue had been moving fast, adding they have seen more elderly residents than the youth casting their ballots.

For one resident who voted, getting the ANC out of power was her main goal. The 54-year-old woman in crutches who was assisted by her family to walk into the station said: "The ANC must go. That is why I decided to come here and vote."

When asked if the party she voted for would bring about the changes she wanted, the woman said: "I don't know. Only time will tell. I just came here to ensure the ANC is not in power."

Another resident said she was worried about her children's future.

The woman said one of her children was in varsity and she was worried that he would not be able to secure a job when he finishes school.

"I am hoping this vote would make a difference. I voted to secure my children's future and I hope the party I voted for will bring change. I am concerned about a number of things the country has not been doing well.

"We have load shedding and we go weeks without water. We sometimes don't have basic necessities. It is just a lot to deal with," she said.

Some youth in Soweto said it was useless for them to vote because even if they do, nothing will ever change.

Lindeni Khoza of Diepkloof said: "We are told to have a voice, a right to participate in electing a president.

"I personally don't vote simply because we only see them trying to bring about change prior to the elections but most of all, it's tiring having to elect a president that will do good for a year then later have the president being accused of fraud and money laundering," she said.

Tshiamo Mokoena, 21, from White City in Jabavu

said he doesn't see a need to vote adding that perhaps in future he might consider voting.

"I didn't vote. I feel that it's pointless because the youth is not considered in anything that is happening. I might consider voting in future should any of the parties that will win the elections do things differently," said Mokoena.