The time has come, South Africa. Election Day arrives tomorrow and with over 27 million people flocking to designated voting stations across the country between 7am and 9pm, you’re bound to find yourself in a queue no matter what time of the day you arrive.
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According to the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), of the 27 million people registered to vote, 550 216 are between the ages of 18 and 19 and almost 4.4 million are between the ages of 20 and 29.
Suffice it to say, that’s a large chunk of first-time voters who’ve never experienced all voters’ common frustration – the ‘extended’ wait.
One such individual is TikTok user Chawezi Banda who, having heard that standing in the queue can take up to five or seven hours long, took to the social media platform to ask ‘what are the vibes like in that queue?’
@chawezi.banda Is 4am too early to start waiting in line? We’ve never voted before and we really sound like it. What are the vibes like in that queue? Are people friendly and happy or is everyone just serious about being in and out. #university #uni #varsity #election2024 ♬ original sound – Chawezi’s public diary
So, to offer him and all first-time voters a guiding hand, and to offer the more seasoned voters a gentle reminder, here’s a list of essentials to add to your Election Day survival kit:
1. An understanding: What to expect
We all have a great understanding of the significance of exercising our democratic right and responsibility to vote, but sometimes we either don’t know or can’t quite remember what to expect when we arrive at our voting stations. This can be daunting, especially for first-time voters.
First things first, you’ll go through a verification process where an IEC official will scan your green, bar-coded, South African ID book, Smart ID Card or temporary identification certificate at the voting station entrance. If successful, a slip verifying your voter registration will be given and you’ll be sent to the queue.
When the time to vote arrives, you’ll receive three ballots, instead of two.
Make a clear ‘X’ next to your chosen party or candidate and, before popping the ballots in the designated boxes, make sure it’s been stamped by IEC officials or it won’t be counted.
It may all seem a bit overwhelming, but everything will fall into place when you step into the booth. And if you do end up making a mistake on the ballot, simply ask the presiding officer for a new one before putting it in the box.
2. Location, location, location
Votes take place at the voting station serving the voting district in which you are registered to vote. The rule of thumb is that the location where you registered to vote in March is the location where you’ll vote on Election Day.
While in previous elections voters who went to any voting station were allowed to vote on the national ballot, this has been changed. This means knowing which
To double-check your registration status and voting station, you can check the IEC website here, SMS your ID number to 3281 (R1 per SMS) or contact the call centre on 0800 11 8000.
3. An empty bladder
Do you remember when you were a young child and your parents always made sure you had gone to the toilet before leaving the house? It was all to train you for Election Day.
Of course it’s more than likely that there will be facilities available at the voting station if you can’t hold it in any longer, but with a fraction of 27 million people coming in and out of the location you may be met with bathroom queues, interesting odours or worse – no more toilet paper.
Alternatively, add tissues or toilet paper to your essentials list – just in case.
4. Dress code
An interesting question Chawezi asked in his video was about the voting station dress code.
‘Because I don’t have a Springboks t-shirt and I heard people are wearing their Springboks t-shirts,’ he said. ‘I also don’t have a Bafana Bafana t-shirt so what’s the outfit inspiration?’
While clothes that represent our national sports teams are sure to bring a sense of camaraderie, they don’t necessarily constitute an essential, nor does political memorabilia. Be fun with it or practical with it, just remember comfy shoes and layers – it’s Cape Town, after all.
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5. Sustenance is key
Another question Chawezi asked was ‘Are you allowed to carry cooler boxes in the waiting queue?’
We’re not too sure how practical lugging around a cooler box may be but what we can say is that equally as important as bringing your South African ID – some voters may argue – is bringing some ‘queue kos‘ (thing padkos but for the voting station) and a water bottle (or three).
Standing in line is frustrating enough, imagine dealing with hunger pangs and dehydration too.
Other essentials, if you’re seeking the most comfortable waiting experience, would be a camping chair and things to help pass the time such as a book, a charged phone (complete with a power bank perhaps) or a voting buddy.
Today is South Africa’s Freedom Day.
People form a line outside the polling station in the black township of Soweto, in the southwest suburbs of Johannesburg, April 27, 1994. The majority of South Africa’s 22 million voters were voting in the nation’s first all-race elections. pic.twitter.com/FxpAECuUgC
— AP Images (@AP_Images) April 27, 2022
7. The long wait to freebies
Arguably the most important essential to add to your Election Day survival kit – in addition to knowing who you’re voting for and why – is the knowledge that your newly inked thumbnail opens the doors to a world of freebies.
Some of these include:
- A free coffee from Spur
- A free regular famous coffee or hot chocolate from Wimpy
- A complimentary second cup of coffee from Doppio Zero
- An original glazed doughnut from Krispy Kreme
- A complimentary Castle Lite or Carling Black Label draught beer from Hudson’s Burgers
- A free vibe shot from Fable
- 20% off any manicure at Sorbet
- A free bath bomb from Lush
- A free truffle treat from Oh My Cake!
Other than a Wimpy coffee, what other free things does voting get me on Wednesday? I’d like to collect them all.
— Lè (@lightupastate) May 26, 2024
That’s it from us, folks.
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Picture: Fani Mahuntsi / Gallo Images