With about four months to go before the local government elections, a civic coalition is intensifying efforts to bring first-time voters into the democratic process.

Recognising that many young people, particularly those fresh out of high school or in their 20s, have never cast a ballot, the Civic Society Unmuted Coalition (CSUC) SA, supported by Kagiso Trust, hosted a voter registration and education drive in Alexandra on the eve of the national Voter Registration Weekend 20–21 June 2026.

Read more: Government declares date for local elections

Mamile Sikhosana, treasurer of the coalition in Johannesburg, said the event aimed to demystify the voting process and motivate young residents to register and ultimately turn up at the polls on November 4.

This comes against the backdrop of statistics that paint a concerning picture about young people’s civic participation. According to the IEC, more than 70% of youth between 18 and 19 are not on the voters’ roll.

“We realised that in most cases the youth don’t even bother to register to vote. When we try to find out the reasons, some of them don’t even understand what happens during elections, or how they should even vote,” Sikhosana said.

She added that they are also trying to ensure that they address the issue of lack of information or misinformation, for some who believe that voting is only for adults.

IEC representative Mogadi Mochitele also drove the message home, stressing how important it is to vote.

“Your vote is your voice. By going to the voting stations, it is your voice. It means you are choosing your representatives. If you don’t vote, that means you are allowing others to choose people who will represent you,” she said.

Sikhosana said such initiatives go beyond registration, as they seek to connect young people to real outcomes.

“We are trying to educate and give them the right information and ensure that they make informed choices in choosing the right people to represent them in government.”

Also read: Government launches voter registration drive for 2026 local government elections

She recognised that although young people register, they still need to show up on November 4 and cast their ballot. To ensure that happens, she noted that they consistently engage with young people to promote civic education.

“Every month, we have different programmes. So, we need consistency to get into their heads that they need to participate because we are doing this for them. They must do it for the next generation.”

She emphasised that when youth stay silent, others will make decisions on their behalf. But such events counter this by turning first-time voters into active participants who can advocate for their needs.

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