A growing sense of civic pride is taking hold among young people in Alberton, as efforts to prepare first-time voters for the 2026 Local Government Elections (LGE) gain traction.

The Independent Electoral Commission’s (IEC) Schools Democracy Programme (SDP) recently made its way to Hoërskool Marais Viljoen, where learners were encouraged to take their first step into active citizenship by registering to vote.

The initiative, driven by the IEC’s Ekurhuleni Alberton Office, called on learners to bring along their identification documents and engage directly with the registration process. The response was encouraging, with 79 learners successfully registering as voters.

The campaign forms part of a broader push to instil a culture of civic responsibility among South Africa’s youth, ensuring that future voters understand not only their rights, but also their role in shaping their communities.

Teachers and IEC officials noted a strong sense of curiosity and enthusiasm among the learners, many of whom will be eligible to vote for the first time in 2026.

“This is about more than just registering. It’s about building awareness and encouraging young people to take ownership of their democratic future,” said the IEC in a statement.

With Alberton forming part of the City of Ekurhuleni, youth participation will play a key role in determining local leadership and service delivery priorities in the upcoming elections.

The success of the visit to Hoërskool Marais Viljoen highlights the importance of taking voter education directly to schools, where future voters can be reached in a meaningful and engaging way.

As the countdown to 2026 continues, initiatives like the Schools Democracy Programme are expected to expand across the region, ensuring that more young residents are ready to make their mark at the ballot box.