By Ndivhuwo Mukwevho
On Wednesday, young and elderly people in most rural villages in Vhembe, Limpopo, braved the cold to go to their local voting stations to vote for their favourite political parties.
However, some boycotted the elections for several reasons, including poor service delivery in their communities.
Scrolla.Africa spoke to some residents in Vhembe who shared mixed emotions regarding the elections. Their problems include a lack of jobs, poor road conditions and a shortage of running water in their communities.
Russell Ralulimi, 45, from Mavhunda village outside Thohoyandou, voted in the elections for the third time on Wednesday, although he no longer has faith in any political party.
He told Scrolla.Africa he believes that with the current state of our economy and the high rate of corruption in South Africa, his vote is not enough to make a significant difference.
“I just voted for the sake of voting. All these political parties are the same and none of them can bring a positive change we need to see in our lives. Look, we are suffering; we do not even have water in our communities, but we are still encouraged to vote,” he said.
Most residents of Matavhela and Tshixwadza, outside Sibasa, opted to boycott the elections, saying the gravel road connecting their villages with other villages is in a poor condition.
They want road D3685 from Matavhela to Tshixwadza upgraded from gravel to tar.
Raul Mutheiwan, a resident of Matavhela village, said that they are tired of the government’s empty promises.
“I have not voted, and I am not going to vote as I do not think my vote will make a change. We do not even have a road, and nothing is ever done when we complain, but now they want us to vote for them. These political parties want our votes but do not care about our well-being.”
He said they wanted to shut down all roads leading to their villages but changed their minds to allow those who wanted to exercise their right to vote to do so.
Earlier this month, Scrolla.Africa reported how angry residents of six villages in Vhembe vowed to boycott the elections in protest over poor road conditions.
Mavis Tshikovhi, 24, who lives in the water-scarce Tshififi village outside Thohoyandou, voted hoping an urgent change would be effective.
“I am unemployed, living in a village without any water supply, and we must buy water daily from those who have drilled private boreholes at their homes. Life is too difficult for me and my family now. But I am hopeful that my vote will bring a change for the better,” she said.
Tshikovhi said she wishes more young people in rural communities like those in Vhembe would exercise their rights and vote for a government to improve their lives.
Pictured above: Some Vhembe residents waiting at the voting station to cast their votes.
Image source: Ndivhuwo Mukwevho
