South Africans living abroad cast their votes in the 2024 general election on the second day of a three-day campaign.
More than 76,000 voters in 111 missions around the world are exercising their right to vote in this year's elections, scheduled to end on May 29 in South Africa.
Friday was the turn of people from the Middle East, and Saturday was the turn of countries in Asia, Europe, the Americas, and the African continent.
There was a steady flow of South Africans to polling stations in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The number of South Africans living in Dar es Salaam is estimated at 200, a relatively small number compared to other parts of the world.
Officials said some traveled hundreds of kilometers to vote in the commercial capital of Dar es Salaam, demonstrating the high level of enthusiasm among voters in the diaspora.
Elections 2024 | SA expatriate voting – Isaac Lucand’s latest from Tanzania:
South Africans living in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) also took the opportunity to vote as polls for the diaspora began in the central African country. More than 4,000 South Africans are registered to vote.
The majority of them are soldiers engaged in peacekeeping operations.
South Africa's ambassador to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Abel Mxolisi Sylvane, said the exercise was peaceful.
Elections 2024 | South Africans in the Democratic Republic of Congo voted: Chris Ocamringa reports:
Approximately 240 South Africans are eligible to vote in Maseru, Lesotho. Polling stations opened on time and without major problems on Saturday.
At least 20 people had cast their votes by 11 a.m.
2024 Elections | South Africans in Lesotho voted:
In Zimbabwe, close to 200 voters were expected to gather at the South African mission in Harare.
Elections 2024 | SA Embassy in Zimbabwe ready to help South African voters: Desiree Moodley
According to the South African Electoral Commission (IEC), voters in 102 missions who work Monday to Friday had one day to vote.
Meanwhile, the UK, which has more than 24,000 registered voters, has a two-day voting period.
Votes cast overseas will be sent back to South Africa and counted after voting on May 29th.
South Africans abroad want their voices to be heard too, even though they are thousands of miles from home.
Elections 2024 | Overseas South Africans join in the voting: Sophie Mokoena: