Residents of Mahikeng in North West expressed optimism as they cast their votes at various stations, hoping the winds of change are coming.

Jacob Selebogo Moabole (66) reflected on the significance of the day. “I am happy to go make a change with my vote. Today feels like 1994 to me, the first time I cast my vote. I feel that the wind of change is coming to the country.”

Moabole expressed his expectations for major improvements in key areas such as health, education, employment, and the pressing issue of load-shedding. He noted that his voting preferences have shifted since the previous elections, indicating a desire for different leadership and policies.

North West has been scrutinised for poor service delivery for a long time. In 2022, none of its 22 municipalities obtained a clean audit, a stark indicator of governance issues. Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke’s report highlighted that nine municipalities received disclaimers, another nine received qualified opinions with findings, three received unqualified opinions with findings, and one received adverse findings.

“The lack of improvement in municipal outcomes is an indictment on the entire local government's accountability ecosystem, which failed to act and arrest the decline that continued to be characterised by service delivery challenges in municipalities,” Maluleke stated.

Despite these challenges, residents remain hopeful that their votes will lead to positive changes. Ofentse Malepe (29), a resident of Mmabatho, expressed his satisfaction with participating in the elections.

“Voting allows me to have a say in the future of the country as a young person.” Although he is relatively content with the current administration, he hopes to see economic improvements, including the strengthening of the national currency and better control of inflation, after the elections.

The special votes concluded with few incidents reported. Despite some challenges faced by the IEC and police on Monday and Tuesday, 1 698 voting stations are open today and things have been running smoothly thus far. A total of 1 765 069 people have registered to vote for 38 political parties contesting 38 seats in the provincial legislature.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi mvh