My First Voting Experience

Waking up

It was decided among my friends to get to the voting station early so that we could go on with our lives and enjoy the public holiday that it was. I was up at 6:09 and was already queuing by 06:46. There were people at the station already, I can only imagine how early they must've woken up because I had to have a squabble with my bed first. So clingy that thing.

Standing in line

Everyone around me was giving the next person their take on South African politics and I was standing there eavesdropping with my coffee cup in hand. Glad I was dressed warmly, I waited for my friends to arrive because they are almost always late for everything. (Hello guys. I love you.)

The station was supposed to be open at 07:00 but that didn't happen. We waited until just after 07:30. I was a bit disappointed at this fail, I mean, can we respect one another's time, at the very least?

Station open

So two policemen marched in. Not sure if they had to do some background checks before allowing us in, but we waited a bit longer. Minutes later the station was open and there was movement. Literally and figuratively. The youth and their made up minds shuffled in to make their trusted choices official.

Technology fail

My second disappointment arose when I observed how manual the entire process was. No scanner in sight, everything was done with paper and pen. What about the poor environment? Anyway, I had to help the lady find my name in all those reams of paper, and her sense of alphabetical order is my third disappointment of the morning.

X

I received my ballot papers and proceeded to the voting what-you-call-it. I was surprised at the number of parties I knew nothing about. I stood there for a good five minutes thinking of what I was about to do. Kinda tricky.  The decision I made was my most informed at the time. I still think there are a number of things I still don't quite understand about politics and the government. I'm interested in learning, however- you guys aren't ready for my Facebook updates in 2019.

I been drinking. (Not watermelon).

After voting, my friends and I walked to a nearby Wimpy which was offering free coffee if you flashed your marked thumb. This led to an impromptu breakfast which is only going to reflect its effects at month end. We drank our coffee and ate our eggs and it was fun.

Social networks were all about the voting, people were generally excited. My newsfeed was filled with chipped nail polish, overdue manicure removals and ashy hands as marked thumbs were displayed. (Laughs). I spoke to my parents later that afternoon and my Mum had a good laugh at my selected party. We had the same argument for our respective choices, but ended up with different conclusions. Interesting.

The wait

Now the results are pending although people from a certain party may have already started popping champagne. I guess congratulations are in order? Let's wait and see.

I'll just have a hot beverage and surf the net for latest developments. Later.

Have a young throwback:

Black President- Ma-Brrr.

Ntsa