South Africans living in the US urge Americans to vote

JOHANNESBURG - South Africans living in the United States have suggested the country's on the cusp of a turning point, warning eligible voters against apathy.

Some have told EWN that the idea of a Donald Trump presidency is too stressful to imagine.

Trump is in a neck-and-neck race for the White House against Vice President Kamala Harris.

He's also currently reeling from the weekend’s polls suggesting that Harris might be fairing slightly better than him in Ohio, which is a traditional republican party state.

One out of every 10 votes in the US elections will be a naturalised citizen, this includes thousands of South Africans who now call America home.

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One of them, Yolisa Bam, who has been living in California has already cast her early vote.

She told EWN that issues such as homelessness and healthcare were top of mind when she made her mark.

Bam said that while she didn't agree with the idea of democracy being on the line, those eligible to vote can't afford to look away.

"You don't have the opportunity to have apathy right now, all you can do, is do what you have to do and go out and vote."

Bam admitted that she too had concerns about another Trump presidency.

"If you are South African or a foreigner even, or illegal immigrant or anything from any part of the continent, what that would look like living in America under Trump? I have been there before, it's highly stressful."

The surge of legal migrants, who are now voting citizens is expected to play a significant role in this week's polls.