South African votes in Saudi Arabia: 'A great experience! Done within minutes’

Africa Melane speaks to Franco Camerena who cast his vote earlier today (17 May) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

South Africans at home head to the polls on 29 May, but their compatriots abroad start voting today (17 May). 

Camerena, an expat living in Saudi Arabia, described his experience, the atmosphere, the execution of election preparations, and the efficiency at the venue assigned to serve nationals abroad.

"It was a great experience and hats off to the IEC... it all happened in 15 to 20 minutes... people were streaming in slowly... the staff were friendly, well-organised, everything happened like clockwork... and we really cannot complain. It was all done within minutes, it was well done."

- Franco Camerena, South African voter in Saudi Arabia

Camerena says there was a buzz of excitement as fellow South Africans came from various parts of Saudi Arabia to vote.

"If you meet fellow South Africans wherever you go, you talk of home and so when you meet up with South Africans like we did today, everyone's excited and happy that it's happening." 

- Franco Camerena, South African voter in Saudi Arabia

Camerena travelled for 30 minutes to cast his vote but says many other South African expats travelled much further.

"Everyone's willing to do that because it is our responsibility. If we want to be able to say something, we have to do something and that is to go and vote."

- Franco Camerena, South African voter in Saudi Arabia

The IEC confirms that votes from South African expats will remain sealed and will be transported to South Africa and counted as part of the bigger results announcements after 29 May.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.