Elections 2014

Today, May 7, South Africans go to the polls in our fifth democratic election.

Being the 20th anniversary of freedom, a lot of hype has surrounded the event and political parties have all tried to outdo each other in the hopes of winning the majority vote.

Today has been declared a public holiday to allow all working class South Africans the opportunity to vote, and stations are open from 7am - 9pm. I believe in voting, and encourage everyone that is 18 years and older to cast their ballot.

Too many people feel that their vote doesn't make a difference, but what they don't realize is when all of those "one votes" are added together they DO make a difference. The difference between a majority vote and a minority vote. We have the power to change our country, but it requires us to get up off our bums and do something about it. Unfortunately the culture is to complain but not take any action. I also feel that those that did not vote, yet still took the day off work, should have a day's leave deducted from them. That may seem harsh, but why should someone have a day off for not carrying out the purpose it was created for?

Many of my expat friends made a concerted effort to vote in the election. They voted on the 30th of April, and most had to travel far to their nearest voting station (a clever ploy by the government to deter voters in my personal opinion). This was done at their own cost, and they had to take a day's leave from work. That is dedication and very admirable. Well done guys, you have my respect. For example, Nadia lives in Zurich, Switzerland, and after writing an exam in the morning, she and her husband travelled to Bern to vote. Briony lives in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and flew to Bangkok just to cast her ballot.

To those that I have not acknowledged, please accept my apologies. I am eternally grateful to you as you have set the example for the rest of us.

It took my mom and I 1 hour 45 minutes to vote. We arrived at our voting station just before 10am and although the queue moved slowly, it did move and once our ID's were scanned the process sped up. Approximately 260 people voted per hour at our voting station.

If you have not yet voted, or did not intend voting and have since changed your mind, the voting stations are still open for another 6 hours. Remember, no vote = no complaining.

Your vote is your voice.

Bill's new haircut

Mom and I standing in the queue

The queue when we arrived

Blackened thumbs later