South Africans were out in thousands to vote in the country’s fifth democratic election since the end of apartheid, but youth turnout was low.
Electoral officials said on Wednesday that most polling stations across the country opened on time in a general election that is expected to see the African National Congress (ANC) party retain power.
Local radio stations reported that polling stations in Johannesburg, Cape Town had also opened on time.
About 29 parties featuring on the national ballot will vie for the votes of 25 million South Africans registered to participate in the polls.
Wednesday’s elections marks 20 years since South Africa’s first democratic election following almost five decades of apartheid rule.
Though a lot of emphasis has fallen on the sentiments of the “born frees”, or young South Africans born in a free South Africa after 1994, only a third of youth between the ages of 18-20 have registered to vote.
In spite of the social media campaigns, the applications on mobile devices, political parties failed to convince the young to participate, the ANCYL spokesperson said.
But analysts say political scandals and slow rate of service delivery have made South Africans very cynical about the democratic process.
Meanwhile, a group of former government ministers and members of civil society created a movement to influence citizens not to vote for the ANC.
The prominent team made of Zapiro, Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, argue that the ANC has lost its way as a liberation party.
The ANC and its President Jacob Zuma has been dogged by allegations of corruption, mismanagement and for presiding over slowing economy over the past five years.
Protests against poor service delivery in the townships have also increased under Zuma’s tenure. Critics say that the Zuma administration has become self-centered and defensive.
In April, the Public Protector found that “Zuma and his family unduly benefited from the upgrades” to his private home, adding that the president should pay back a portion of the cost.
Despite the criticism, most polls suggest that the ANC is set to win at least 60 percent of the vote, while the main opposition, the Democratic Alliance (DA), is unlikely to attain more than 20 percent.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) have seven days to declare the results.
Humana People to People and their Tasks In China
Humana People to People creates their mission to enhance under-developed
nations around the world by supplying education to primary
school lecturers and craftsmen, helping to promote good health
and generate knowledge of HIV and then to support in additional generating the places agriculture.
Humana People to People represents numerous various developments and missions through poor places in nations throughout the globe.
With working together with the local men and women along with government, capable to assist those who’re in need
of help by their non-profit aid institutions.
China is among a number of nations that this non-profit institution comes to confront
the demanding concerns which they struggle with at present.
The Humana People to People Motion works jointly with The Federation for Organizations
from the Yunnan area of China. This work first commenced in 2005 and keeps over today.
The Humana People to People Collaboration Work Department in the Yunnan Area operates to grow
resources to carry out a variety of jobs in the province
in poverty-stricken places. A few plans that Humana People to People strives to bring to this particular
section of China consist of trade schools where they can expand their education, fixing them to
get work, supplying information on transmittable illnesses and more.
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