93-year-old woman: Why I voted today

Maude Sieves, who celebrates her 93rd birthday today, says she is glad she got out of bed and voted.

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Heidi Giokos

Johannesburg - The saying goes that “age is nothing but a number”, and it proved true for Maude Sieves.

Sieves, who celebrates her 93rd birthday on Monday says she is glad she got out of bed and voted.

“It is so important to vote, it will bring change.”

Sieves was among the first to cast her vote as part of the IEC's two-day special voting period.

Special votes, if applied for, can be cast by those will not be able to vote on Wednesday, either due to ill health, work commitments or, like Sieves, the elderly.

Meanwhile Mary Ramjee said voting during municipal elections is important in bringing radical change in the country.

The 65-year-old, who is at a care facility in Westcliff Johannesburg, told Independent Media that people need to vote for there to be effective service delivery in the area that they live in.

“Even at the age that I am at, I need to vote to make a difference. Sitting here and waiting for things to be done without trying, will not make the difference that is needed,” said Ramjee.

One thing that government has failed at in South Africa, according to Ramjee is taking care of the elderly. “Government can definitely do more to look after its senior citizens. We are the foundation after all.”

While Ramjee sat on her bed and completed her ballot form, her visitor Elaine Hicks, who is also at the care centre, said this is the first year she has decided not to vote.

“I refuse to vote. I find that even though humans have rights in this country we are being treated as though we have no human rights, especially as the elderly,” Hicks said.

Willian Britz and Joeline Weyers walked into the voting station in Parktown holding hands and very eager to place their vote.

Excited Britz said voting has such a positive impact as it puts the right people in power. “Our country is so distressed. Old people are not paid enough pension and government needs to start looking after us.”

The IEC received and approved over 700 000 special applications for this year’s elections.

Special voting will enter its second and last day on Tuesday. Stations will be open between 8am and 5pm.

Elections Bureau