WATCH: 92-year-old voter urges South Africans not to take their vote for granted

92-year-old Elayne Dykman, who has been voting since the age of 18, encouraged South Africans, particularly young people, to exercise their democratic right during special voting at TAFTA in Durban.

Elderly residents at The Association for the Aged (TAFTA), a special voting station for senior citizens, have urged South Africans, particularly young people, to exercise their democratic right to vote, saying every vote presents an opportunity to bring about change.

The three women shared their views on the importance of participating in the electoral process, highlighting their hopes for improved education, better healthcare services and greater support for pensioners.

Queen Reinal, who was among those waiting in the queue to cast her vote, said voting was important because citizens needed to understand their rights and recognise their role in shaping the country's future.

“It is very important for each of us to vote. We must know our rights here and where we belong. There are so many things that need to be put right,” she said.

Reinal identified education and healthcare as some of the key areas requiring attention, saying children deserved good schools while hospitals needed to provide quality care and make patients feel confident that they would receive the treatment they needed.

“When you are walking into a hospital, it must feel like you are going to be cured and cared for,” she said.

Although she admitted having mixed feelings about voting, Reinal said she remained hopeful that the electoral process would bring positive changes.

“From the ten things I have asked for, if at least one can be successful, I would be very happy. You cannot get all ten right, it is difficult. At least one success at a time,” she said.

Cookie Govender, 61, who has been living at TAFTA for three years, said she was excited to vote and had been looking forward to exercising her democratic right.

“It doesn't matter who comes in to change. It is important to me. It is my democratic right to cast my vote, therefore I feel comfortable voting,” she said.

Govender said one of her biggest concerns was the treatment of elderly people in the healthcare system, particularly the long waiting times they experience when visiting hospitals.

She called on the Department of Health to pay greater attention to the needs of senior citizens and said pensioners should receive more financial support to cope with the rising cost of living.

“I think pensioners should be given more money because the cost of living is too much,” she said.

Meanwhile, 92-year-old Elayne Dykman said she had been voting since she turned 18 and received her green identity document.

Dykman, who spent 24 years in what was then Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, before returning to South Africa and registering to vote again, described voting as a privilege that should never be taken for granted.

“I feel that voting is very important. It is a gift that is given to you. You are given a chance to better the country. We must vote,” she said.

She expressed frustration with people who chose not to vote because they believed the outcome was already decided, particularly those who argued that the ANC would win regardless.

“I feel like screaming when people say they are not going to bother voting because the ANC is going to win anyway. That is a wrong attitude. Whether the ANC wins or not, you still have to vote,” Dykman said.

Dykman encouraged young people to participate in elections, saying they should not take the opportunity to vote for granted.

“Voting makes a big difference. If you don't vote, nothing will be done. Where would the country be? It is a wonderful gift,” she said.

The three elderly voters said exercising their democratic right remained important, with each expressing hope that participation in the electoral process would contribute towards a better future for South Africa.