Mfundekelwa Mkhulisi

Cope will do well in its first national election.

This was said yesterday by the party's presidential candidate Mvume Dandala who cast his vote in Randjiesfontein, Midrand.

Dandala said he believed South African voters would turn out in large numbers to support his party.

"I rate our chances very high. People on the ground want change," he said.

He said voting was a way to enable people to express their wishes on how they want the country to be governed.

Dandala said the country needed committed leaders.

Asked how he felt after voting Dandala responded: "It makes me feel good. I desire for South Africans not to lose the opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote."

He said thousands of people fought and died for democracy and it needed to be preserved.

However, Dandala expressed his concern at the level of intimidation and disruptions of rallies that took place in the run-up to the elections.

"It is regrettable that there were incidents where people were denied the right to express their views on issues," he said.

Dandala urged people not to allow themselves to be bullied and intimidated.

Meanwhile, first-time voter Madifemo Ramahuma, 18, of Ebony Park said: "I am excited The University of Johannesburg student said she would vote for a party that is taking the needs of poor people seriously.

Former Gauteng premier Mathole Motshekga said he was happy to see a good turnout of voters, especially young people, despite the cold weather.

"People are out to defend the government of many decades of struggle. They regard democracy as a great heritage," Motshekga said.