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South Africa elections 2024: Can ANC overcome challenge from Zuma, DA, EFF and others? - BBC News South Africa elections 2024: Can ANC overcome challenge from Zuma, DA, EFF and others? - BBC News
(32 minutes later)
Mohammed Allie Rafieka Williams
BBC News, Cape Town BBC News, Johannesburg
First-time voter Mariam Bibi Ebrahim, who cast her ballot at the Cape Town College of Education campus in Athlone, described her first vote as “a surreal experience.” Some voters walked away earlier in frustration from Joubert Park in Johannesburg - the biggest polling station in the country.
“It feels empowering. I feel like I’m having a say in the way the country will be run," she said. "They didn't get my name on the scanners. Each and every time I vote here, but today my name is not there," complained Nomvula Ziswana, aged 53.
Early indications are that there will be a big voter turnout in the Western Cape province. Johannesburg Ward councillor Ian Mzoxolo Nonkumbi admits there had been a problem with scanners and that this issue had frustrated both voters and electoral commission officials.
Many voters braved the early morning autumn chill and darkness to cast their ballots at the first opportunity to allow time for them to enjoy the rest of the public holiday - which has turned out to be a lovely cloudless, warm day in Cape Town. He says political parties at the voting station met briefly to resolve the issue.
There have been a few reports of glitches at some polling stations where voters rolls arrived late and voters reporting to the wrong venue. But Ziswana, who has been living in downtown Johannesburg for more than 28 years, says she would not be returning to vote.
The voting however seems to be going smoothly in what is expected to be a closely contested province. "I'm sick and tired," she says.
There is a visible police presence in Langa township, not only outside the polling stations but also along the area’s busy roads where many locals are out and about while enjoying the day off.
By mid-morning there was still a long queue at the Isilimela High School but there were no complaints as voters were happy with the process.
Outside the venue, officials from the opposing parties, kitted out in their party colours, were in a jovial mood, in stark contrast to the bitter campaigning in the leadup to the election.
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