Speaking to the media, he said it was emotional to cast his last vote as the mayor. He was proud of the achievements he and his committee had accomplished over the years. Masondo served two terms – 10 years – as Joburg’s first citizen, and did not run for mayor again in yesterday’s local government elections.

He said he was excited to exercise his right to vote like any other South African.

Indeed that excitement could be traced all over Joburg. Hillbrow, for one, was buzzing with the number of people queuing in anticipation to make their mark.

Sindiswa Manyane, a 74-year-old resident of Hillbrow, was delighted to vote despite his dissatisfactions. “I am voting because I want to influence the swing of things in our city and country. Yes I am not entirely happy with the ways with delivery of services at the moment but I believe my vote will make a huge difference.”

Manyane who has lived in the inner city flatland since 1996, said: “I have been waiting for an RDP house for the past six years, and I still have the hope that our government will deliver."

Another Hillbrow local, Simphiwe Ndaba, said: “I am grateful because I have a good job and I am able to provide for my family. Voting shows that I am a responsible citizen of this country … I understand the political history of the country. People died for this freedom, ours is very simple, just to make a mark.”

Across the ridge, in Braamfontein, election fever also hung in the air. “It is high time that young people come out stand for what they believe in, and voting it is the right platform,” said 22-year-old Braamfontein resident, Monwabisi Thubakgale.

Many people held the view that the election proved that South Africa’s young democracy was maturing; this was visible in the inner city, where people of different races patiently stood in long queues waiting their turn to vote.

The Independent Electoral Commission’s provincial commissioner, Sy Mamabolo, expressed his satisfaction with the running of the polls after voting stations closed at 7pm on Wednesday. No major irregularities were reported in the province, he said.

“We have had quite a successful run of elections.” Speaking to the media, Mamabolo said all the Gauteng results were expected to be released on Thursday afternoon.