Free pass

Standing in the queue to cast my vote yesterday, I was approached by an IEC official who asked me under her breath while glancing furtively at my now protruding stomach, 'Uyagula?'. Huh? I was confused and so were Hein and Jurie who were trying to lean in and listen into the conversation. After I sensed what her agenda was and laughed saying, 'No I'm not sick, I'm just pregnant.' Shame. The poor lady obviously didn't want to assume I was pregnant. Much less offensive to enquire after my health...

She offered to whisk me to the front of the queue but then I looked around at my voting partners and thought I couldn't leave them behind. Anyway, I'd have to wait for Hein as were in the same car. We weren't even halfway there yet... When I asked the lady whether I could take my plus-two along, she said no and offered me a chair instead. Hayibo! I'm not sick - just pregnant!

And for that we waited an hour and a half to mark our Xs. And it was worth the wait to feel part of something, especially if a change is going to come.