ELECTION NEWS - It seems to be all systems go for the residents of various homes and shelters in Knysna to participate in next month's elections, as the Independent Electoral Commission has been assisting at these institutions to ensure their votes also count through the process of special voting, for which registration started nationally last week.
According to Nico Barnardo of Loeriehof home, the ages of their contingent of 70 elderly people and people with special needs stretch up to the age of 99 years.
But it was during a visit to one of the other Knysna retirement homes that Knysna-Plett Herald met one of the town's most age-advanced voters.
At Vermont Centre with its 60 residents, Oom Freddie Windvogel, at 103 years old, is arguably Knysna's eldest voter (certainly neither the Leisure Gardens and Amble Ridge facilites have have residents any older), even though to Mietjie Tieties at the centre in Hornlee, Oom Freddie "doesn't look a day over 80".
Oom Freddie said he remembers voting but not the details and that he doesn't have expectations for the upcoming elections. "We're old and nobody really worries about expectations of the elderly," he said.
Still with the 'love of his life'
Windvogel turned 103 on 15 March and is at the home with his wife Elizabeth (76) whom he calls "the love of his life". The couple has been together for 25 years.
Elizabeth says she used to help clean Freddie's home and his wife made her promise to look after him when she died. "During that time my husband also passed away, I looked after Freddie and we fell in love and 25 years later, here we are."
Freddie said his recipe for long living is that he was truthful to his parents and looked after them.
"My advice to young people who wish to live long would be that they must look after their parents, try by all means to not lie, and believe in God because everything comes from him."
Special voting applies to those who cannot make it to their voting station on election day – such as physically infirm, disabled or pregnant voters – to make their mark beforehand.
This year, it will take place on 6 and 7 May. If you cannot vote at your registered voting station, there are several options: use the IEC's secured online application form; SMS your ID number to 32239; or visit a local IEC office and submit a VEC 1 form.
These forms can only be hand delivered but can be delivered by someone else on your behalf.
"You will receive an SMS notifying you of the outcome … but you can also check the status of your special vote application online," the IEC said.
If you are physically infirm, disabled or pregnant, the process is similar as above. Special voting application close on 18 April.
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