Voting day paved the way for Bay entrepreneurs to make some money selling goods, while others took advantage of the turnout to raise funds for charity.
The Nooitgedacht Dutch Reformed Church members in Kabega Park woke up early to get the fire going, and the boerewors sizzling.
The delicious smell quickly had voters lining up for a boerie roll to tuck into while waiting to make their mark.
Church members said proceeds would go towards the needs of orphans, the elderly and the less fortunate.
The church, situated directly opposite Kabega Park Primary School — the voting station for the area — also sold coffee to the early risers.
Church members Attie Knoetze and Reverend Robert-John de Kock said they saw it as the ideal opportunity to raise funds for their missionary committee.
They also charged voters R10 to park in their parking lot.
“We are involved with many outreach projects. We make soup and food for the petrol attendants at the local BP garage.
“We also provide for the MTR Smit Children’s Home,” De Kock said.
Kabega Park resident Kim Jennifer said it was a humbling experience to see people being mindful enough during the elections to run initiatives for the less privileged.
Another group to cash in on the high voter turnout were EP Indoor Cricket Men’s Open team players, trying to raise funds for the upcoming national championships.
Team captain Robert James, vice-captain Anton van Tonder and teammate JP Snyman set up their braai stand at the Emmanuel Church voting station in Lorraine.
“This was sort of a spur-of-the-moment decision. We joked about it at a braai last week, but the idea grew, and here we are today,” James said.
By 9am, hundreds of people had lined up at the voting station.
“Boerie rolls and coffee are always a hit, so we hope to raise some funds to help the team as we prepare for Pretoria later this month,” Van Tonder said.
Their team is ranked first in the Arena Top League and will play for gold on Sunday as part of their final preparations for the national championship from June 16-22.
They said they would take turns to man the braai and cast their own votes in the afternoon.
For those needing a dose of Vitamin C to get through the wait at the polls, a hawker sold bags of oranges outside the Malabar Community Centre.
The day also turned into a lucrative marketing opportunity for a father and his daughter who operate Bella’z food truck to serve up their signature German hot dogs at the Sunridge Park voting tent.
Larry and Astin Nel started planning the day about a week ago, and could hardly believe how it panned out.
“We arrived a little later than planned, but we are still blown away with the support from the voters,” Astin said.
She said voters had been patient as they set up.
By 11am, they were almost sold out.
“We have family that stay and vote here, and they told us setting up the truck here on voting day would be a good idea.
“Other friends in the food truck business had similar plans at other voting stations, so we decided to go for it.”
Bella’z has been operating for about a year, mainly from Miramar, and often travels between festivals.
Restaurants across the Bay also used the elections to draw in patrons.
Doppio Zero PE at Boardwalk Mall said patrons sporting an inked finger would get their second cup of coffee on the house.
Chingadas in Walmer took it a step further with a free tequila for every vote, and a nachos special.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.