{
  "id": 17804707,
  "title": "uPhongolo seniors make voices heard through special votes",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/02/uphongolo-seniors-make-voices-heard-through-special-votes",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-02T13:50:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/uphongolo-seniors-make-voices-heard-through-special-votes/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Two senior citizens, Nomusa Mdluli and Daisy Nkosi, from uPhongolo in northern KwaZulu-Natal are using their special votes to make their voices heard in the upcoming local elections. The 70-year-olds were visited by officials from the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) at their homes in eMaphafeni and eMgomane. Mdluli and Nkosi are among five residents in the area who requested home visits to cast their special votes.\n\nThe women expressed their desire for elected councillors to fulfill their promises, particularly by addressing the ongoing water shortages and high unemployment rates in the community. Mdluli emphasized the importance of casting her vote as a senior citizen, stating that it brings hope to her and calls on elected leaders to respect the people they serve. \"I am happy to cast my vote today, and this brings hope to me as a senior citizen. If God has given you life, you must make sure that you vote and those who lead must respect people and do as people wish.\"\n\nNkosi highlighted the community's struggle with water shortages and expressed the need for more young people to find employment opportunities. The special voting process will take place on both today and tomorrow, allowing these senior citizens and others in the area to have their say in the local elections.",
  "summary": "The women say they want elected councillors to deliver on their promises, by addressing water issues",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}