As South Africa observes Youth Month, the upcoming national Voter Registration Weekend on 20 and 21 June 2026 offers a pivotal opportunity for young people, particularly first-time and budding voters in Johannesburg, to take their first step toward participating in the country’s democratic processes.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has opened all 23 706 voting stations nationwide from 08:00 to 17:00 over the weekend, enabling eligible citizens to register, verify details, or update their information ahead of the Local Government Elections (LGE) scheduled for November 4 2026.

This registration drive holds special significance for young South Africans. Local elections determine who will govern municipalities for the next five years, directly influencing critical service delivery areas such as water, electricity, roads, waste management, and housing. These are issues that have reached a tipping point for many Alexandra residents.

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In a bid to mobilise the youth vote, IEC representative in Alexandra, Mogadi Mochitele, has been actively engaging residents to mobilise young people to register this weekend.

“We will be there at the voting stations. Just tell them your address, and bring your ID. Then, they will be able to register you. So, come the 4th of November, you will be able to participate in those elections,” Mochitele told attendees at the voter registration event hosted by Civil Society Unmuted Coalition South Africa in Alexandra on June 19.

She stressed the importance of registration, noting that it is how young people can get their voices heard.

“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 told attendees.

David Letsoalo, another IEC representative, reinforced the call for voter education. He pointed out that a significant number of young people did not participate in prior national elections. Mochitele doubled down on this, noting that thousands of youth have not participated in previous elections, and this highlights the need to change the picture through active involvement.

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The IEC’s slogan for the campaign, ‘Get up, show up and vote,’ directly targets apathy.

According to the IEC, key requirements for registration include an identity document, as the process involves scanning the ID to capture details.

Mochitele stressed that voters must register in the voting district where they live and receive services, emphasising that this is particularly important for municipal elections, as ballots are cast at the specific voting station tied to that address.

The voter registration weekend will not only serve to register people, but will also allow others to verify or update their details on the voters’ roll.

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