ANC Veterans including Mbeki, Motlanthe and Mashatile, show up at the polls

Simone Nare, Kgalalelo Setlhare and Andile Mbele

On Wednesday, political leaders from across all political parties turned up at their local polling stations on the historical day of the national and provincial elections – to show that they lead by example.

In Gauteng all former Presidents and ANC stalwarts came out in numbers to cast their ballot.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile was among the first leaders to cast his vote at Kelvin’s St Johannes Lutheran Church around Sandton in Johannesburg.

Flanked by his wife, Mashatile arrived at the voting station to an excited ANC group outside the premises.

After chatting to the party volunteers and assuring them of a resounding victory, Mashatile was led inside where he cast his vote.

He later told reporters that he had been told that there were minor problems during the opening of voter stations but everything was moving smoothly.

Mashatile also appealed for