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Delegates relieved after voting
18/12/2007 13:27 - (SA)
Polokwane - Mixed emotions were natural as the ANC elected it's new leadership, a political analyst with the Institute for Democracy in South Africa, Steven Friedman, said on Tuesday.
Speaking from outside the voting area at the University of Limpopo in Polokwane Friedman said that this was the first ANC presidential election in 58 years which was so contested.
It was therefore natural for people to approach it with anxiety and for them to emerge relieved after casting their votes for the top six positions, he said.
Earlier the first group of voters to come out of the poll expressed relief that the voting procedure for the party's new leadership was over.
Friedman said at previous ANC conferences people tried to present an outward show of unity, but this one was different due to the rivalry between the nominees for presidency.
He said while the conference looked ordinary it was historic in a sense.
Voters who emerged after placing their crosses on the ballot papers told Sapa that they were relieved and happy.
"I feel honoured to be one of the first," said Peter Mamorobela.
He had been waiting in the queue for almost three hours but was not bothered by this.
"I'm just relieved and happy but I haven't had breakfast yet. I'm on my way now," he told Sapa, rushing off in the direction of the canteen.
Samuel Mthembu said: "I feel great" as he sat in his wheelchair.
"I was more than ready for this. I feel very relieved that the matter of voting is behind me," he said.
Another delegate Gerald Sono who emerged from the polling stations, talking animatedly to his colleagues, said it felt good to exercise his democratic right.
No glitches
Aside from the delay, he said there were no glitches.
"I was able to see the candidates and choose clearly and now we wait for results".
Yoliswa Ponosha said she was tired as she walked away from the polling station with crutches.
She however felt good about casting her vote.
As the first voters emerged from the polling station others steadily made their way to join the long snaking queues that had already formed outside the polling stations.
Pat Khaba said she did not care how long it would take, she would stand in the queue all day if necessary.
Dressed in a bright green ANC T-shirt with a long flowing black skirt Khaba had made sure that she was presentable as she made her mark.
She said she felt "superb" on the wet Tuesday morning.
Meanwhile a group of delegates stood near the back of the queue to the voting stations whistling, singing and chanting the name of their preferred candidate - deputy president Jacob Zuma.
On Monday night during the nomination process no other candidate for the position of president, besides Zuma and President Thabo Mbeki, emerged from the conference.
Friedman said that he was not surprised by this.
He said if there was a possibility of a compromise it would have emerged well before the actual nomination procedure took place.
Voting got underway shortly before 09:00 on Tuesday morning after being delayed for almost three hours due to computer problems.
- SAPA
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