What Seven Voters Want From The New South Africa

Qondisa Ngwenya: 29, sports development manager, National Sports Council, living in Parkwood, Johannesburg.

My hopes in 1994: Housing for all. We all voted for the ANC because it liberated us.

My hopes now: People in this election are looking much harder at what they want as individuals. The ANC has tried to deliver but it has not lived up to all expectations. It will take time. I shall vote ANC.

Rachel Wilschutt: 36, fish packer, living in Hout Bay, West Cape.

My hopes in 1994: I wanted to move from my shack to a house of my own and I wanted play areas for the children. I voted for the National Party.

My hopes now: We still have no electricity or water, but there is a clinic. Blacks get hired first at the factory even though most of us in this area are brown. I shall vote for the New National Party.

Levy Matlala: 43, teacher, living in Alexandra township, Johannesburg.

My hopes in 1994: I was looking forward to free education and more jobs. I voted for the ANC.

My hopes now: Improvements are slow. There are no textbooks, no jobs and much squandering of money. I shall vote for the ANC in the national elections. In the provincial elections I want someone strong like F W de Klerk, who will not squander money.

Zola Ramncwana: 38, holiday flat booking agent, living in Umtata, Eastern Cape.

My hopes in 1994: Access to jobs from which I was barred by apartheid. I did not have specific expectations, like everyone I voted ANC because they liberated us.

My hopes now: The government has so much to do. I would like the ANC to win a very large majority so change can be accelerated.

Melanie Jessop: 26, university social work student in Cape Town.

My hopes in 1994: I feared whites would become underdogs. I have a British passport so I could always beetle off. I voted for the National Party.

My hopes now: I worry about crime. The ANC seems to be riding a tide of idealism and charisma but I am not sure their mission is solid. I shall vote Democratic Party because I oppose the death penalty.

Mike Joseph: 64, barman, living in Durban.

My hopes in 1994: I wanted the end of the colour barrier and I voted for the ANC.

My hopes now: I am disappointed because life has got harder, especially for Indians, coloured people and blacks. The whites have yet to feel the pinch. If you want your children to have a decent education you have to pay. But I am an optimist and shall vote ANC.

Joseph Mapasa: 44, Big Issue salesman, living in Khayelitsha squatter camp, West Cape.

My hopes in 1994: Anything would have been better and I voted for the ANC because they are wonderful.

My hopes now: My life is 100 times better. Whenever it rained, my shack was flooded. Now there is a drain and a tar road in front of it. I have electricity. I want another black president. I shall vote ANC.