This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/may/07/south-africa-election-your-stories

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
South African election day: your stories South African election day: your stories
(4 months later)
Today, 25 million South Africans will go to the polls to vote in the first election since Nelson Mandela’s death, the fifth in their 20-year democracy. It is also the first election that the so-called "born free" generation – born after apartheid ended in 1994 – are eligible to vote in. Today, 25 million South Africans will go to the polls to vote in the first election since Nelson Mandela’s death, the fifth in their 20-year democracy. It is also the first election that the so-called "born free" generation – born after apartheid ended in 1994 – are eligible to vote in.
The African National Congress (ANC) is expected to win comfortably but they have faced an unprecedented challenge to their leadership, on the streets and in the ballot box.The African National Congress (ANC) is expected to win comfortably but they have faced an unprecedented challenge to their leadership, on the streets and in the ballot box.
Justice Malala, a political analyst based in Johannesburg said yesterday that if there is one thing that South Africans can agree on, it's that they have come along way in 20 years "a country where we walk proudly, without fear; a full citizenship of the world; a democratic dispensation and constitution to be proud of", but, the outstanding question remains: "how much better could our story have been"? Justice Malala, a political analyst based in Johannesburg said yesterday that if there is one thing that South Africans can agree on, it's that they have come along way in 20 years "a country where we walk proudly, without fear; a full citizenship of the world; a democratic dispensation and constitution to be proud of", but, the outstanding question remains: "how much better could our story have been"?
We asked our readers to paint a picture of a country preparing to vote. What are their hopes and aspirations? How do they feel about the election? Here’s what they had to say: We asked our readers to paint a picture of a country preparing to vote. What are their hopes and aspirations? How do they feel about the election? Here’s what they had to say:
Sadly the issues in our election are totally irrelevant. Too Sadly the issues in our election are totally irrelevant. Too few care enough about good governance and understand the complexities of a modern economy.
few care enough about good governance and understand the complexities of Rather than race it is perhaps more pertinent that the core of the African National Congress (ANC) support are state-dependent; either working for the grossly bloated civil service or welfare grant recipients. They don't see a place for themselves in a modern, skills-centric economy which paradoxically is the only way forward that can offer them a better future.
a modern economy.
Rather than race it is perhaps more pertinent that the core of the
African National Congress (ANC) support are state-dependent; either working for the grossly bloated
civil service or welfare grant recipients. They don't see a place for
themselves in a modern, skills-centric economy which paradoxically is
the only way forward that can offer them a better future.
JQesqJQesq
I know that on Wednesday, I know that on Wednesday, when I stand in the queue with my fellow students, I still will not have made the choice for whom to vote for. South Africa has been bettered in racial segregation, but change is still needed for a stable future. Unfortunately, there is no clear solution, no good versus bad, just the lesser evil.
when I stand in the queue with my fellow students, I still will not have Each party has its own set of morals, as it should be with democracy. But many are going against the 'rainbow nation', against Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk for their work for the peaceful termination of the apartheid.
made the choice for whom to vote for. South Africa has been bettered in When I make my cross on the ballot paper, it will be with hope that my choice has a positive impact. I can't be sure who deserves my vote. I don't know who should lead the generation of 'born free' into the adult world, who should be our bearer of light. Hope.
racial segregation, but change is still needed for a stable future.
Unfortunately, there is no clear solution, no good
versus bad, just the lesser evil.
Each party has its own set of morals, as it should be with democracy.
But many are going against the 'rainbow nation', against
Nelson Mandela and FW de Klerk for their work for the peaceful
termination of the apartheid.
When I make my cross on the ballot paper, it will be with
hope that my choice has a positive impact. I can't be sure who
deserves my vote. I don't know who should lead the generation of 'born
free' into the adult world, who should be our bearer of light. Hope.
HouseOfSeekersHouseOfSeekers
ANC covers EFF postersANC covers EFF posters
Campaigning gets heavy as lower party members play rough and here ANC covers over EFF postersCampaigning gets heavy as lower party members play rough and here ANC covers over EFF posters
Sent via GuardianWitnessSent via GuardianWitness
ByBy
Francois Gatete Francois Gatete
4 May 2014, 7:114 May 2014, 7:11
Anti-Zuma Slogans at EFF Tshela Thupa RallyAnti-Zuma Slogans at EFF Tshela Thupa Rally
One of many anti-Zuma displays at the EFF's 'Tshela Thupa' rally. Photo: Koketso MoetiOne of many anti-Zuma displays at the EFF's 'Tshela Thupa' rally. Photo: Koketso Moeti
Sent via GuardianWitnessSent via GuardianWitness
ByBy
kmoeti kmoeti
6 May 2014, 18:146 May 2014, 18:14
Excited to cast my vote I can't wait to vote. My opportunity to effect change in my beloved country South Africa!Excited to cast my vote I can't wait to vote. My opportunity to effect change in my beloved country South Africa!
Remember you've got to be in it to win it. Remember you've got to be in it to win it.
Mannuel FerreiraMannuel Ferreira
Thinking about the queues Thinking about the queues at South African elections makes me homesick. I live in the UK now, where election day is a pretty dull affair. An empty grey school hall where election officials outnumber voters. Just two minutes and you have completed your democratic duties.
at South African elections makes me homesick. I live in the UK I am a white South African and the first time I cast my vote was in the 1994 elections. Our polling station was in a shopping mall, across the road from a large park. We queued for hours, said hello to neighbours and friends, listened to the singing.
now, where election day is a pretty dull affair. An empty grey school The last time I cast my vote, I took my baby son along with me, strapped to my chest in a sling. Again, we stood for hours, chatting to our friends from the neighbourhood, cracking jokes. The vibe on election day - I will miss it
hall where election officials outnumber voters. Just two minutes and you have completed your democratic duties.
I am a white South African and the first time I cast my vote was in
the 1994 elections. Our polling station was in a shopping mall, across
the road from a large park. We queued for hours, said hello to
neighbours and friends, listened to the singing.
The last time I cast my vote, I took my baby son along with me,
strapped to my chest in a sling. Again, we stood for hours, chatting to
our friends from the neighbourhood, cracking jokes. The vibe on election day - I will miss it
nicocarsher73nicocarsher73
Voting for ThanksVoting for Thanks
86-year old Christinah Moeti, says she's voting out of gratefulness. "Today I receive a pension; have a home and so do my children and grandchildren because of the ANC. They will have my vote till I die", she went on to say. Photo: Koketso Moeti86-year old Christinah Moeti, says she's voting out of gratefulness. "Today I receive a pension; have a home and so do my children and grandchildren because of the ANC. They will have my vote till I die", she went on to say. Photo: Koketso Moeti
Sent via GuardianWitnessSent via GuardianWitness
ByBy
kmoeti kmoeti
7 May 2014, 20:157 May 2014, 20:15
I drove all the way from Wollongong to vote in Canberra.I drove all the way from Wollongong to vote in Canberra.
Sent via GuardianWitnessSent via GuardianWitness
ByBy
kittykatie12 kittykatie12
5 May 2014, 14:075 May 2014, 14:07
Voting in ParisVoting in Paris
I cycled from Dieppe to Paris and cast my vote at the SA Embassy on Quai d'Orsay. There was not much voting traffic, and all went smoothly.I cycled from Dieppe to Paris and cast my vote at the SA Embassy on Quai d'Orsay. There was not much voting traffic, and all went smoothly.
Sent via GuardianWitnessSent via GuardianWitness
ByBy
wisdeniswonderful wisdeniswonderful
6 May 2014, 12:196 May 2014, 12:19
Voters Queuing UpVoters Queuing Up
Voters queuing up at Seaparankwe School in Atteridgeville, Tshwane. Photo: Koketso MoetiVoters queuing up at Seaparankwe School in Atteridgeville, Tshwane. Photo: Koketso Moeti
Sent via GuardianWitnessSent via GuardianWitness
ByBy
kmoeti kmoeti
7 May 2014, 13:377 May 2014, 13:37
Drove from Sydney to Canberra to cast my vot.Drove from Sydney to Canberra to cast my vot.
Sent via GuardianWitnessSent via GuardianWitness
ByBy
Jonathan Holman Jonathan Holman
7 May 2014, 14:207 May 2014, 14:20
Do these testimonies resonate with your experiences? Tell us in the comment thread below, or contribute to our GuardianWitness assignment by using the blue ‘Contribute’ buttons at the bottom of this article. Do these testimonies resonate with your experiences? Tell us in the comment thread below, or contribute to our GuardianWitness assignment by using the blue ‘Contribute’ buttons at the bottom of this article.