--- title: "In pictures — a thumbs-up to South Africans’ passion for making their mark" description: "We asked our readers to send in their voting day photos – and they did not disappoint. These images, selected by our newsroom, tell the story of a nation committed to democracy. Some voters braved long queues, others had breathtaking views, and the triumphant selfies with inked fingers tell their own story. But South Africans young and old, across the country and beyond, came out in their masses to vote, showing civic pride and unity." type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "2024 ELECTIONS" author: "Daily Maverick Readers" author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/daily-maverick-readers/" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2024-06-03-election-in-pictures-a-thumbs-up-to-south-africans/" published: "2024-06-03T21:08:45" updated: "2025-02-10T11:47:46" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 199 --- # In pictures — a thumbs-up to South Africans’ passion for making their mark > We asked our readers to send in their voting day photos – and they did not disappoint. These images, selected by our newsroom, tell the story of a nation committed to democracy. Some voters braved long queues, others had breathtaking views, and the triumphant selfies with inked fingers tell their own story. But South Africans young and old, across the country and beyond, came out in their masses to vote, showing civic pride and unity. By Daily Maverick Readers · Published 3 June 2024, 23:08 SAST · Updated 10 February 2025, 13:47 SAST ## Key points - Embracing democracy with tears, determination, and a touch of adventure – snapshots of South African voting moments. - Emotional scenes as first-time voter in Mozambique casts ballot, bringing tears of joy - Proud South African overcomes injury to cast special vote from home - Elderly couple in Pretoria, born in 1939 and 1940, exercise their right to vote - Heartwarming moment as possibly oldest South African voter, 104-year-old mom, participates in election ## Content ![‘My son, a first-time voter who has lived most of his life abroad, cast his vote. I burst out in tears witnessing freedom for him.’ – Maputo, Mozambique. Photo: Samvea Olkers](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/zCW1NWL1YXiTvDFqdvZ2ohOs914=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/09-Samvea-Olkers.jpg) *‘My son, a first-time voter who has lived most of his life abroad, cast his vote. I burst out in tears witnessing freedom for him.’ – Maputo, Mozambique. (Photo: Samvea Olkers)* ![‘Special vote from home, wouldn’t miss it even with an injured leg. #ResponsibleCitizen. #ProudlySouthAfrican.’Photo: Noluthando Dlova](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/EtpDIl-240YZhPZCmJKBurDo_Bs=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/09-Noluthando-Dlova.jpg) *‘Special vote from home, wouldn’t miss it even with an injured leg. #ResponsibleCitizen. #ProudlySouthAfrican.’ (Photo: Noluthando Dlova)* ![‘Elisabet Mahlangu, born in 1939, and Daniel Mahlangu, born in 1940, of Boschkop.’ – Boschkop, Pretoria.Photo: Petro Grobler](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/B2PwzapMLpmeW4FeQhnqsOQmBqQ=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/09-new-Petro-Grobler.jpg) *‘Elisabet Mahlangu, born in 1939, and Daniel Mahlangu, born in 1940, of Boschkop.’ – Boschkop, Pretoria. (Photo: Petro Grobler)* ![‘On the way to the voting station we picked up voting hikers.’ – Wachtenbietjieskop, Bronkhorstspruit.Photo: LP Louw](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/cxF4AP21khQQm9Im150i9-rtckA=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/09-LP-LOUW-.jpg) *‘On the way to the voting station we picked up voting hikers.’ – Wachtenbietjieskop, Bronkhorstspruit. (Photo: LP Louw)* ![And a very special picture in this essay is of possibly the oldest voter in South Africa. ‘My mom Bessie Keet at 104.’ – Montana, Pretoria.Photo: Ilse Lombard](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/8WyppRaGwGVp4cMIxRWtIa1_2Bs=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/09-Ilse-Lombard.jpg) *And a very special picture in this essay is of possibly the oldest voter in South Africa. ‘My mom Bessie Keet at 104.’ – Montana, Pretoria. (Photo: Ilse Lombard)* ![‘Got in early.’ – Schotsche Kloof Primary School, Bo-Kaap, Cape Town.Photo: Donnet Dumas](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/Q1dCvhU9c5t89205WrsKnl3jGxA=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/09-Donnet-Dumas.jpg) *‘Got in early.’ – Schotsche Kloof Primary School, Bo-Kaap, Cape Town. (Photo: Donnet Dumas)* ![Done! Early voting in KSA.’ – Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Photo: Claire du Trevou](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/-sK1IdaWSZxuQU0GfZbYB5VkG10=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/09-Claire-du-Trevou.jpg) *Done! Early voting in KSA.’ – Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. (Photo: Claire du Trevou)* ![‘My view while waiting to vote.’ – Van Reenen, KwaZulu-Natal.Photo: Cilla Dowse](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/O6sZJ1pcsbgRD_DfEbo-PTp3o-0=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/09-Cilla-Dowse.jpg) *‘My view while waiting to vote.’ – Van Reenen, KwaZulu-Natal. (Photo: Cilla Dowse)* !['We still believe in a rainbow nation.’ – Johannesburg.Photo: Catharina Clark](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/TjU21UtG6SR8f9pvItSghnho_n0=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/09-Catharina-Clark.jpg) *'We still believe in a rainbow nation.’ – Johannesburg. (Photo: Catharina Clark)* ![‘Rosendal and Mautse, voting in the village.’ – Rosendal, Free State.Photo: Aryn Guiney](https://cdn.dailymaverick.co.za/i/oX5T5aGn_D3DqVvbccSWdxmy9bw=/200x100/smart/filters:strip_exif\(\)/file/dailymaverick/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/09-Aryn-Guiney.jpg) *‘Rosendal and Mautse, voting in the village.’ – Rosendal, Free State. (Photo: Aryn Guiney)* *This story first appeared in our weekly*Daily Maverick 168*newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.* ![Image](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DM-01062024001.jpg)