Former president Kgalema Motlanthe is confident that the ANC has a chance to obtain a 51% plus majority victory in the general elections.
Motlanthe was speaking on Wednesday after casting his vote at the Killarney Country Club in Johannesburg.
Gugu Mtshali, Motlanthe’s wife, and prominent ANC members such as Lebogang Maile, the Gauteng MEC for human settlements and infrastructure development, Steve Mabona, the spokesperson for the Gauteng education department, and Loyiso Masuku, the City of Johannesburg MMC for group corporate and shared services, were also present.
“I am very happy and elated that I have cast my vote. It is every citizen’s duty and responsibility to vote,” Motlanthe said.
“I hope we will create political stability, which is a precondition for development, so that we can focus on the real issues.”
When asked who he voted for, the former deputy president of the ANC said he voted for the ruling party.
“I vote for the ANC. I believe the ANC has a chance to get the necessary outright majority,” said Motlanthe.
When Motlanthe was walking into the voting station to cast his vote, a man wearing a Palestine scarf around his neck shouted: “Mr Motlanthe, free, free Palestine. Thank you, ANC.”
Young and old people heed call to vote
Meanwhile, scores of people gathered at the country club to cast their votes.
By 8.20am, more than 100 people, including the old and young voters, were standing outside and inside the voting station, queueing in line to vote.
There were so many people at the voting station that two lines were formed for the voters. The long lines started inside the station and extended to the outside.
Inside, the voting station was packed to the point where there was not enough space to walk around. The voters included people from different racial backgrounds.
Outside the voting station, members of the ANC, DA, and EFF, dressed in their political party regalia, were gathered and stationed underneath their gazebos.
Former president Thabo Mbeki is expected to cast his vote at the Killarney Country Club at 11.30am.
