Sowetan Reporters

Sowetan Reporters

Despite special voting closing on Tuesday, pensioners braved the cold weather yesterday and flocked to the polling stations.

Allinah Mokoena, of Pieter Rooikraal farm at Mapleton, had been at the polling station since 7am but found out at about 1pm that she could not vote because she had did not have an ID.

"I voted in the 1994 election. I feel so sad that I can't vote today," she said.

Hazel Wibberley, 78, of Florida Park on the West Rand, said: "I was unaware that the special votes included the elderly."

Presiding officer at the Bosmont Library Chahracan Ahmed said: "Most old people want to be part of the crowd, they don't want to vote alone in the special votes."

For first-time voters it was an exciting event.

"Job creation is on the cards and we young people have been given a chance to voice our concerns," said Dumisani Matshedi, who voted at Jet Nteo Secondary School at Boipatong in the Vaal.

Dean van Zyl, 22, of Florida on the West Rand, said: "I enjoyed voting. I think that it is important to make a difference.

"I voted for the DA because I agree with a lot of Helen Zille's policies."

But for some it was business as usual. Southgate Mall was quiet in the morning but by midday shops were buzzing with customers. All the banks were closed.

Nomsa Ndlovu, an Edgars employee, said: "I wish we had been given the opportunity to apply for special votes. I will vote when I finish work at 3pm."

Political party officials were conspicuous in their absence at the Windsor West Recreation Centre in Randburg compared to other polling stations on the West Rand, where many were spotted.

Outside the Thusong Service Centre in Munsieville, near Krugersdorp, ANC supporters drove around displaying party posters, with loud music blaring from their vehicles.