2021 elections: Mr SA encourages the youth to make their voice heard
“We as fellow countrymen need to educate our youth about elections and the importance of being part of that. Our youth is our future and if our future neglects to make their voice heard, imagine the chaos!”
It’s official. The local municipal elections are set to rally voters to stations on October 27 and the survival of the fittest ward councillors are on.
As such, the Express believes in election awareness to ensure the health of South Africa’s democracy established in 1994 and getting our youth to register and vote.
And who better set an example than Kempton’s very own Mr SA 2020, Hannes van der Walt.
Q: As a husband, father and working citizen, what importance do municipal elections hold in your bigger picture view for South Africa?
A: Start with the small issues and the impact of these small changes will echo to bigger and greater issues. Eventually, it will have an impact on the whole of South Africa. We need to vote for our municipal elections, even when you think it’s insignificant. We have to believe that our votes will make an impact.
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Q: As Mr SA-titleholder and being able to view South Africa through a unique lens, how should municipal elections be regarded by the youth and working adults?
A: We as fellow countrymen need to educate our youth about elections and the importance of being part of that. Our youth is our future and if our future neglects to make their voice heard, imagine the chaos! No one cares about the youth’s issues except the youth, and I believe they can change the election’s outcome.
Statistics show that older voters are more likely to vote, which means their concerns and issues are likely to dominate the political agenda. If you don’t vote then you get stuck with other people’s choices and you can’t even complain about it because you let it happen.
Q: Do you believe that it is important for Kempton Park schools to prioritise this event in their awareness and educational rhetoric?
A: Yes. What we teach today will impact generations to come. What our youth vote for will have an enormous impact on South Africa. They too, deserve to be heard once they know-how.
Q: As a father of a teenager and young boy, how would you explain the significance of municipal elections and why they need to register and vote once they’re eligible?
A: As a father, I often tell my children to speak up if they don’t like something, especially if they don’t agree with me, their mom or whoever it may be. This teaches my children to stand up for themselves and for what they believe in. Sometimes nothing will change, but what if your voice gave someone a new perspective?
Q: What will you look for in a candidate serving your ward?
A: Is this candidate visible in the community? What changes did he/she bring to the community? How well did they attend to previous promises made to the community? Can I relate to his/her beliefs? Can he or she bring something new to the community?
Q: Considering a municipality’s function and responsibilities, how would you classify a successful and functional municipality?
A: A successful municipality is visible in their community, one that brings forth changes and that attends to promises made to their community.
Q: How would you describe South Africa’s voting culture?
A: South Africans seem to be very loyal towards parties they used to vote for. The ruling party and the official opposition seems to stay in a position with small margins in their numbers.
Q: What would you say about the fact that in the 2019 national elections, voter participation was at its lowest since the dawn of democracy in 1994, according to Africa Check?
A: Service delivery and well managed municipal constituencies need to play a vital role in elections. However, voters seem to believe a non-vote or stay-away will hurt the parties in local government. The opposite is true. Voters need to vote for parties that deliver.
Q: Do you have a message to youth and adults alike regarding the upcoming elections who are considering registering/vote or not?
A: We as South African citizens are reliant on our municipalities to give service and the service must be according to our liking and needs to adhere to a functioning city and, in turn, populace. Cast your vote, make your voice heard. If you did not vote, you can’t raise your voice to anything happening in your city.
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