As Election Day ends, hundreds of South Africans are still in line waiting to make their mark.
LONG LINES OF SOUTH AFRICANS ARE STILL WAITING TO MAKE THEIR MARK
Those still in lines are urged to stay. The IEC says polls have closed, but you can still vote if you were in the line by 21:00.
Alan Winde, the DA’s Western Cape Premier candidate, has urged voters to stay in the queue if they still waiting to vote by 21:00.
“We are deeply grateful to every voter who has been standing in the queues for many hours to take part in this crucial election,” Winde said in a statement.
PLEASE STAY IN THE LINE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE
“Thousands of voters have already cast their votes to keep the ANC/EFF/PA coalition of corruption out of the Western Cape. We can win this election, but only if every voter remains in the queue,” he added.
At the Wits University, South Africans are braving the cold temperatures, and by 21:30 on Wednesday, a long line of people were still waiting to cast their votes.
Across the country, voting stations have reported issues with technical problems, voters unable to find themselves on the roll, and registrations at incorrect polls.
‘ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ELECTIONS IN OUR NATION’S HISTORY’
ANC leader and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa called Wednesday’s vote “one of the most important elections in our nation’s history,” while addressing a crowd of thousands at Soweto’s FNB soccer stadium on Saturday.
“Our people will decide whether our country continues moving forward with the ANC towards a better, brighter future or backwards to a terrible past,” Ramaphosa said.
The South African leader, who cast his ballot at a polling station in Soweto, told the media on Wednesday that he has “no doubt whatsoever” that voters will again trust the ANC.
RAMAPHOSA VOTED IN SOWETO ON WEDNESDAY
“This is the day when South Africa decides, decides on the future of our country, (on) who should lead the government of South Africa, and I have no doubt whatsoever in my heart of hearts that the people will once again invest confidence in the African National Congress to continue to lead this country,” Ramaphosa said.
Meanwhile, Eskom says there will be NO load shedding despite fake news circulating that load shedding will be back after the elections.
“Eskom has noted with concern the fake news trending on social media regarding load shedding resuming on 30 May.”
ESKOM SAYS THERE WILL BE NO LOAD SHEDDING DESPITE FAKE NEWS CIRCULATING
Furthermore, it said load shedding has been suspended for 62 consecutive days and continues to be suspended. The previous Power Alert issued by Eskom was on 24, when Eskom announced the continued suspension of load shedding.
“Our generation availability continues to perform well due to the Generation Recovery Plan that commenced in March 2023 and our intensive planned maintenance.
“Unplanned outages are averaging at 12,500MW, below what was anticipated for our winter outlook.”
A NEXT UPDATE WILL BE GIVE ON FRIDAY
Eskom said the energy availability factor (EAF) of four of our power stations is performing above 70%.
“Our year-to-date EAF is improving gradually and is currently at 60.73%.
Eskom will provide regular updates and the next update will be on Friday, 31 May.”
