Voting for South Africa’s Sixth Parliament

It’s 25 years since I first voted, and I have voted in each election since. I have missed only one local government election because I was travelling on business and there was no possibility of a special vote.

Yesterday, I ventured to the polling station mid-morning, and earlier in the day than I had planned as my schedule had gone somewhat awry. I drove on because there was a queue out the door, I had things to do, figuring that as they would only shut up shop at 9pm, I had plenty of time.

So, late afternoon, having done what I needed to do, I headed out into the setting sun, under a gloomy sky. Not only was the polling station virtually empty, but there were happy party supporters - some from different parties - partying together. That would not have happened 25 years ago. Nor would the cheerful greeting of the mandatory police members at the gates.

Yes, there seem to have been some glitches, like the disappearing indelible ink that reappears and the inevitability of folk bucking the system, but by and large, the election seems to have gone well. We will still have the same ruling party, but it will not have a two thirds majority, and with 40+ other parties on the ballot, the final outcome will be interesting.

While I am concerned about the rise of the lunatic left and the reactionary right - not specific to South Africa - it makes my heart sing that South Africa’s democracy seems to be maturing.

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