Two voters living in suburbs just 27km apart in Cape Town — one area once dubbed the murder capital of the world, the other an upmarket tourist attraction — shared at least one thing in common on election day: a desire for change.
Nyanga made headlines in November when US tourist Walter Fischel, 55, was shot in the face and robbed after his GPS directed him to the township. Meanwhile, homes on Nettleton Road, arguably Africa's most expensive street, sell for up to R200m.
Nonceba Resha was among the first people to stand in a long line of voters at Hlengisa Primary School in Nyanga on Wednesday. As she approached the ballot box the 56-year-old hoped her vote, like in 1994, would redefine South Africa's political trajectory. With a lengthy ballot paper in hand, she was ready to make her choice.
But as she emerged from the polling station, the problems besetting her community were evident. She has grappled with them since the dawn of democracy: “We have a big crime problem,” said Resha. “We have a drug problem which is destroying our children. We have high unemployment. Policing is a huge problem. Police don't respond when you call them and when you follow up, they tell you about a shortage of cars. They are under-resourced.”
Resha has lived in the community for 41 years.
“The 1994 elections were great because the ANC was coming to power for the first time and a few jobs opened up, but those opportunities have dried up,” she said.
“I think this election will bring change, judging by the voter turnout. We are praying for change, jobs, safety and service delivery. The different political parties and independent candidates are promising us a lot of things. But from my experience, people promise a lot before getting into power. Once they get there, everything changes.”
Martin Makasi, secretary of the Western Cape Policing Forum, echoed Resha's sentiments: “Nyanga's murder rate is showing signs of increase.
“The only crimes that seem to be dropping are business robberies. Another concern are sexual offences, which are propelled by alcohol abuse and drugs. The scourge of business extortions also keeps us awake.
“Government services also get disrupted in this policing precinct.”
Makasi said this week's elections were “alarming, but on the other hand I think people's interest in politics has been rekindled. People are coming out to vote in numbers.
“I also think people have lost patience. They are fed up with unfulfilled promises by the ruling party. That means that South Africans have matured because they did not go out to destroy infrastructure in frustration. They have formed political parties and if they win, they will bring the change that they have been yearning for.”
Nettleton Road residents voted at the Glen Country Club with views of the Atlantic Ocean and Table Mountain.
A Clifton resident, dentist Paul Abramowitz, shared his hopes and gave a nuanced view on the country's economy.
“In 1994, I came back from America to vote” he said. “Today, I couldn't count the number of parties on the ballot. But I think it is an opportunity to be part of democracy. I lived in a country where there was no democracy before Nelson Mandela was released. So it's an opportunity for people to feel part of democracy. It's important for people like us, of a certain age.”
He too hoped for change. “We don't have another way of making change. Do we? Politicians are always weaklings in human leadership,” he said.
“I am hoping my vote and everybody else's allows governance to understand service to the people. Frankly, I would like to see all South Africans, high and low in economics, treated as human beings. I feel very privileged to be here. So, I would like my brothers and sisters being given equal respect and opportunity.
“Other than load-shedding and money disappearing from government coffers, which is self-destructive, many of us live a privileged life in South Africa. Most of us who live a privileged life are incredibly saddened that the promises that were made regarding housing, toilets and running water, basic services, education, healthcare (have not been met).”
He added: “But I have hope for South Africa. I lived in America for many years.”
Archbishop Thabo Makgoba visited the results centre at Century City on Wednesday and said “democracy is maturing”.
“Hopefully we will never have a one-party state,” said Makgoba.
“As a reverend who goes around giving people hope, like we did today when we did oversight (of the voting process), it pained my heart to see how people live in Imizamo Yethu, Hout Bay.
“I took a picture of Imizamo Yethu and compared it with other parts of the suburb. There was a stark contrast. I hope this election will bring dividends to all South Africans,” said Makgoba.
