The
young X correcting the old X
Why should South African youth care about politics
where there seems to be no transparency and accountability in the governance of
the nation? Or are the young people
fighting a losing social economic battle on their own?
The young people have a desire for a changed South
Africa where the civil servants truly live by the principles of Batho Pele (People First). Living in a society where there is openness
and transparency with provision of information.
The recent protests in communities over service
delivery show the frustration over the fact that even when the constitution of
the country guarantees social and economic rights there seems to be no
implementation of these rights to the general public. They only end up on paper
and on politicians mouths when they canvassing for votes. So the questions the
young person have are,” will my vote even make a difference/ do I even care
about politics”? Every political party
knows that in order to either sustain or increase its political influence over
the country, it must have the young people’s vote because they constitute the
majority of the population.
“Yes a lot of people in the government have failed
us in service delivery and the system has gotten extremely corrupt but choosing
not to vote will not bring us any step closer to a better society “says Olwethu
Sizani , 24.
The youth longs for political leaders to have
genuine interest for the people of the Republic at heart where politicians from
different parties will work together on a common vision for the benefit of the
citizens. In result socio economic challenges will make the average young
person to care about politics and elections as they are personally affected and
have direct impact on the economy.
“I will be voting for the first time as I want to
see change in the South African politics by keeping the current government on
their toes” says Clarence Makgato, 23. In this way when an opposition party is
a little bit strong, the ruling party will improve their services to the
public.
With some civil servants having a political
engagement with the youth on social media, it encourages the political
involvement of the individuals and serves as a platform to increase the
knowledge of understanding about and being involved in the democracy of South
Africa.
Lauren Tracey a researcher in the Governance, Crime
and Justice Division at the Institute for Security studies said ‘it is
important to understand what drives the youth to participate in elections and
how key issues impact on their willingness to vote and for whom’
When a young person votes they have the power to
influence the direction the country is taking and with the average youth
wanting to be the change that they want to see, they are making politics part
of their lives where casting their votes will result in economic victory
together with the government.
At the end of it all the South African young generation
cares about the politics and elections of the nation.
