340 South Africans vote in Namibia

A total of 340 South African citizens cast their votes in the South African national elections at their country’s high commission in Windhoek over the weekend.

South Africans living abroad began voting in the country’s 2024 national elections at South Africa’s foreign missions on Friday.

According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa, a total of 76 580 people registered to vote at the country’s 111 foreign missions worldwide.
In Namibia, 744 South Africans registered to vote, and 340 cast their votes on Friday and Saturday.

Pela Selomo, first secretary for political affairs at South Africa’s high commission in Windhoek, said the voting process ran smoothly.

“People are happy to express their feelings on who should govern them in South Africa, remembering that this right to vote did not come on a silver platter, it is a product of protracted struggle by the liberation struggle movement,” Selomo said.

He said the voters were happy to freely vote for the parties and leaders of their choice.

“As part of that legacy of 30 years of democracy, it is an important time for South Africans to make an overview of how things are and how they wish things to be and decide on the character of the leadership they want,” Selomo said.

Speaking to The Namibian, one voter, Charlotte-Liese Nel, said she voted for her voice to be heard and for change to happen in her country.
“I am hoping for a crime-free and democratic South Africa,” Nel said.

Another voter, Angelina Job, said she also voted for a crime-free South Africa and improved service delivery.

“I came to vote for a crime-free South Africa, for better service delivery throughout the whole of South Africa and better education for our future generations,” Job said.

South Africa is holding its 2024 national and provincial elections on 29 May.