Cape Town - With the counting of local elections results almost complete, it is clear that voters have chosen to remain loyal to their political parties than voting for change in their communities.
This is a sentiment shared by community activists and organisations following Monday’s local elections.
In the province the results are showing the DA leading, followed by the ANC.
The Greatest People of South Africa chairperson Zintle Khobeni said those who exercised their right and responsibility to vote chose to remain loyal to the ruling party despite the many challenges that were facing different, marginalised communities.
“That is worrying, however, we are excited to see that there is a growing number of people who have opted to give independent candidates an opportunity and we are very happy about this, because it means that slowly but surely people are warming up to change, which is what South Africa needs,” she said.
STOP COCT founder Sandra Dickson said the low voter turnout should be more than worrying.
She said this was a complete vote of no-confidence in the current political system and what it has to offer.
Dickson said the road ahead would be rocky, with more protest action expected to force service delivery and housing.
“The disdain among the 18 to 25-year-old age group can manifest in many ways.
“However, with the high unemployment and people walking the streets could spell a definite threat to safety and security for those deemed to be better off.
“President Cyril Ramaphosa went as far as to say electricity will be cut if the vote is not for the ANC.
“In Cape Town voters were told ’keep the ANC’ out.
“This mantra particularly found fertile ground and traction with the older voters,” she said.
She said the election failed due to a lack of time to prepare by the IEC, Covid-19 and other misdemeanours was another step in the sad path of a country “with no visionary leaders and where discontent was the order of the day”.
“Those with high expectations before the elections, who was not successful are again left on the fringes of discontent while the three big parties battle amongst each other to consolidate their power via coalitions with the aim to continue business as usual,” she said.
Khobeni said moving forward, the elected officials must ensure that they served the people who voted for them, must be accountable leaders and deliver quality services to the people.