#IMadeMyMark: What youngsters would change about SA if they were president? (video)
With the general elections on May 8 creeping closer, we spoke to eight local Grade 12s to hear their thoughts.
Load-shedding, home affairs and the current water crisis.
These are but a few issues Grade 12 prefects from Hoërskool Birchleigh would address if they were president of South Africa.
With the general elections on May 8 creeping closer, Express had a chat with the eight youngsters to find out whether they plan to vote, why they think voting is important (or not important) and what they would change about the country if they were head of state.
Out of the eight learners, head girl Alinda Ralarala (18) is the only one eligible to vote, as the rest are too young. She, however, does not plan to visit a ballot box on election day.
“People have voted for as long as I’m alive in this world, but I see no difference,” she explained.
Head boy of culture KG Maduanyane (17) said even if he were old enough to vote this year, he wouldn’t.
“I don’t understand the economy yet, so maybe a few years later I would be able to vote.”
The rest of the learners agreed that it was important to vote.
“People ultimately give the politicians the power to make decisions,” said head boy of academics Kabelo Nchabeleng (17).
“You never know if your vote is the one that counts,” said head girl of culture Tanaka Puwai (17).
Kamogelo Hanyane (16), head girl of academics, said people shouldn’t complain about the country if they didn’t vote.
Despite their young ages, the learners had big ideas on how to improve South Africa.
“I would implement solar energy to address the problem of load shedding,” said head boy of sport Thabang Malone (17), while KG suggested purifying seawater to address the water crisis.
Head boy Hope Ngoy (17) and head girl of sport Athi Rulumeni (17) agreed the service at home affairs offices was a big issue and needed to be fixed. Kamogelo added she would empower the youth.
“If you look at Parliament, it only consists of old people.”
Tanaka said she would change the mindset of the people within her government. “They must have a consideration factor for the people of the country and not push for corruption.”
