“Opposition parties can be seen rallying outside voting stations in the Northern Cape with many young people joining in, eager for change.”

Dr. Izak Fritz, Northern Cape DA premier candidate, has cast his vote at Vooruitsig Primary School in Kimberley, hopeful to see a change in the province.

“In 1994, people were excited to vote for freedom. This time around, in 2024, people want to vote for change,” said Fritz.

‘The most important thing is to grow the economy to create jobs’

He added that many graduates are jobless and sitting at home. Doctors and nurses are unemployed, and the Northern Cape is in dire need of their services.

“The most important thing is to grow the economy to create jobs. The excitement we’ve seen across the province is because people are eager for change, and that is the message we want to convey.”

Fritz emphasised the importance of voting: “People must take this chance to vote. You are not too young to vote, and just because you may not be interested in politics doesn’t mean politics is not interested in you.

“The young people in the Northern Cape deserve better opportunities. The first thing I would do is fight corruption in the province and attract investors to create jobs.”

‘I am a voter, so I wait just like them’

Dr. Fritz stood in line with voters rather than cutting ahead. He said he did this out of respect: “I am one of the people, and I want to show the problem of political parties thinking they are more important than the next person.”

“I am a voter, and the people in the lines are voters too, so I wait just like them.”

Vooruitsig Primary School saw many voters eagerly standing in line to cast their votes.

‘We have not heard of any potential threats’

So far, the control and organisation of the voting stations have been running smoothly with no complaints. According to Northern Cape Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt. Gen. Koliswa Otola, everything has gone well so far, and SAPS has deployed the necessary capacity.

“There have been no incidents reported by any of our deployed officers thus far and we have not heard of any potential threats.”

Voting stations are still operating in full swing. Voters can still make their mark until 21:00 tonight.

OFM News/Heidrè Malgas mvh