I voted from abroad in the 2019 South African national elections and the experience was a real privilege. It was so great to be one of the people who care enough about South Africa to take part in the elections, even when I was not on home soil. Apparently about 10 000 people indicated their intention to vote at South Africa house in London and knowing that up front was quite daunting. It seemed like a heck of a lot of people to have voting at a single location, even with extended voting hours. But the number of people voting was a non-issue. The whole process was organized superbly and ran as close to perfect as can be expected - I commend the IEC for their execution on the day and they also did a really good job of helping me get my ducks in a row to vote from London.
I arrived at South Africa house just after 2pm and there was quite a queue, but I wasn't totally sure how long it actually was because it was wrapped back on itself and then went around the corner. I tried to survey the scene but then dutifully joined the queue. All the expected characters were there, those singing songs about the ANC, those trying to influence last minute votes for the DA and a most welcome entrepreneurial chap handing out Jumbo biltong samples from the South African shop.
I took some snaps as the queue progressed and sent a few WhatsApp updates to family back home. It was a spring day in London, the weather could have been a lot worse but it was blowing a chilly reminder of the differences between England and South Africa down my neck. Before I knew it I was around the corner and inside South Africa house. I took some cheeky snaps of the Pierneefs from the upstairs gallery and then got into trouble for trying to take more from up close. I put my phone away like a good citizen and applied myself to the task at hand.
I was done before 3pm, so it had taken me less than an hour to be done with voting since I had joined the queue - A very pleasant surprise. I had some time to stand back and take in the atmosphere before I decided how to spend the rest of my afternoon. The hardest part was getting myself to London from Norwich, standing in the queue and voting was a breeze. I hope that it is a similar experience for everyone voting from within South Africa's borders. God Bless South Africa.
I was done before 3pm, so it had taken me less than an hour to be done with voting since I had joined the queue - A very pleasant surprise. I had some time to stand back and take in the atmosphere before I decided how to spend the rest of my afternoon. The hardest part was getting myself to London from Norwich, standing in the queue and voting was a breeze. I hope that it is a similar experience for everyone voting from within South Africa's borders. God Bless South Africa.
