To vote or not to vote

GEORGE NEWS - Are you voting on 8 May?

The upcoming elections has many voters divided whether to vote or not. George Herald asked our readers their opinion about the upcoming elections on social media.

We asked if they voted in 1994 and whether they will be voting again on 8 May.

Irene Innes says she voted in 1994 for the then National Party. "I will definitely vote again, but this time for a smaller party." Innes's opinion is that bigger parties like the DA and ANC have failed the communities they serve. She feels smaller parties can do a much better job. "The only parties that have good belief systems up to now are Icosa and EFF."

Bernard October says he will never vote again. "I voted in 1994, but never again. How can you vote for people who just want to kill each other over power and money?" He thinks the politics in this country is a circus. "Everyone makes promises, but actually they are the only ones that gain anything. So to hell with politics. I have a life to run!"

Clivia Meyer says she can still remember how good it felt to vote in 1994. "The voters were all so excited, so I am definitely voting again on 8 May. But this time for a smaller party."

Suenell Ruiters says she was only born in 1991, which meant she could not vote in 1994. "But in 2010 I was old enough to vote, but decided not to vote. I have not found a party that deserves my vote." She feels no party, old or new, is worthy of her vote. They all make promises before elections, but never keep them. We really need better leaders in George."

Melinda Barnard says she has never voted and probably never will. "Please tell me if your vote ever made a change or your complaints?" She says there are too many "holier than thou" people, who jump from party to party pretending to be better than the rest.

"I'm making my mark on 8 May, are you?" - Eugene Gunning, George Herald

Adam van Rhyner says he is a child of Africa. "I am home in South Africa. I freed myself in 1994 by taking the best decision for me, to vote." Van Rhyner says he votes every time. "It's a good thing because you have a say in how the country is run. It's just a shame that the government is slightly off course - but we have a new leader this year so I am definitely voting."

Enrico Williams says this year he is voting for a smaller party, because the leaders of the bigger parties like DA and ANC are power hungry. "We have the power, so vote for a smaller party. A coalition of smaller parties can do a better job of running this country and we can keep them to their promises. So Viva small parties."

Deon Samuels says he will vote again. "I just cannot understand how people can still vote ANC, just because the leadership changed. The leaders are not serious about corruption, because Zuma and all his cronies are still in parliament." Samuels says people must open their eyes and vote with an open mind, not with their hearts.

"I will make my mark on 8 May" - Michelle Pienaar, George Herald.