Durban North voters praise smooth process but demand better municipal services - IOL

Despite threatening rain, voters arrived steadily at Northwood School in Durban North on Wednesday morning.

Voting was swift at Northwood School in Durban North, but residents used the opportunity to call for improvements to water infrastructure, roads, refuse collection and youth employment.

There were no lengthy queues before 9 am, with residents praising election officials for keeping the process orderly.

Sivan Govender, who works in the property sector between Durban and Johannesburg, said voting had been effortless.

“It was seamless. Everything is well organised, so they found our names easily. The technology worked, so yeah, it was effortless,” he said.

But Govender said failing municipal services were damaging property values and business confidence, with poorer communities bearing the brunt.

He wanted the next council to prioritise water infrastructure, roads and basic services, warning that water supply problems could become an even greater concern.

“I think our biggest challenge at the moment is just upgrading our infrastructure. You start with water, roads, you know, basic services,” he said.

Durban North resident Lindi Britz said she arrived at about 8.30 am and had finished voting by 8.45 am.

Concerned about possible queues, Britz had obtained her voter sequence number beforehand to speed up the process.

She said Durban North received good communication about outages, but wanted the same standard across eThekwini, alongside reliable refuse collection, repaired potholes and improved water infrastructure.

“Everyone just wants everything to work,” she said.

Britz said voting was essential for residents who wanted a say in how their city was run.

“If you don't vote, you don't have a say.”

Manju Govender, who arrived at about 8.45 am, said she had voted within minutes.

“Very, very quick. Very well organised. And my hats off to the IEC,” she said.

She had expected the weather to deter voters and was disappointed by the apparent lack of young people at the station.

Govender wanted more employment opportunities for young people and greater support for pensioners.

“What we need is people who have the jobs, who have the position, who have the power to lead this country with integrity,” she said.