My 2019 Elections Experience

My Vote!! My Voice!! My Right!! My Democracy!!

For some weird reason I was looking forward to this year's election day ; knowing that my vote makes a change made me so excited. Surprisingly enough when I woke up all the excitement vanished. With the weather being gloomy getting out of bed was a mission.

With everything happening in South Africa I felt the need to vote this year more than ever.I feel like If I didn't then i wouldn't have a right to complain about anything. I also feel like we are taking our freedom for granted by not voting.I’ve heard several individuals saying they will not vote because they are unemployed and they don't have proper housing etc. It seems like we do not understand certain things, voting doesn’t guarantee you a job or a house but rather gives you the opportunity to select who you want to be governed by and an opportunity to show your seriousness about change.

It’s about time we stop expecting the government to do everything for us. That I will not vote because I don’t have a house & I will not vote because I am unemployed mentality must stop. When I struggled with unemployment I looked for something that I can do to generate an income for myself it’s not always about getting handouts but rather using what you have to get where you want to get but thats just me.The honest truth is not voting doesn’t guarantee you a house or employment either but allows the very same people you're not happy about to continue being incharge.

I dragged myself out of bed and prepared to go make a change, to go and use my vote and make sure it has a voice.

There was slow moving traffic on Broadacres Drive and a lot of cars were parked on both sides of the road and I looked for space & joined in. I knew that the line was going to be long judging by the number of cars parked on pavements and inside the voting station. As I have suspected the line was so long and it started to drizzle 5 minutes after my arrival but luckily enough it quickly stopped. The line was moving slowly but surely. An hour and half later my ID was scanned and I went in and I exercised my democratic right and put X’s on 2 ballot paper.

I walked out of the voting station with my head held up and chest high.I was proud of myself knowing that I have voted and that my vote will make a difference.It's so sad to see the number of people that registered to vote but ended up not doing so.We all screem we want change but forget that change begins with us.Your vote is the change.If you're not happy with a certain party vote for the one you trust at that moment.