Scramble for Zuma t-shirts

Motorists driving along Visagie Street hooted as people rushed to get T-shirts being dished out by a man in the middle of the street.

 

Thekiso Ndabane said he needed the yellow ANC T-shirt, emblazoned with a photo of a smiling former president Nelson Mandela, to prove where his loyalty lay.

 

"Today is a day of T-shirts. When I walk in the street I want everyone to notice," he said.

 

"I am with the ruling party and now we are going to extend that rule. I am here to vote, not only to get a T-shirt. I love the ANC."

 

Some T-shirts sported an image of a smiling President Jacob Zuma's face.

 

A few meters away from the ANC camp, the Democratic Alliance and Economic Freedom Fighters had set up chairs and were talking to voters.

 

Before 2pm, the scorching sun did not deter voters who had formed a winding queue to cast their ballots. It stretched from the school entrance on Visagie Street and curved into Sisulu (formerly Prinsloo) Street.

 

Voter Gertrude Mbuli said no matter the weather she was not going to return home without voting.

 

"Even if it rains, I will not turn back. This is a day for me to determine this great country's future and nothing will stop me."

 

She chatted with her neighbours as the queue crept towards the school entrance.

 

Numerous cars passing on the street were branded with different political party posters and playing loud music.

 

South Africans were voting across the country in the fifth national and provincial polls since the demise of apartheid.

 

- Sapa