IEC encourages Boboyi youth to vote
According to provincial electoral officer, Ntombifuthi Masinga, there has been a decrease in young people participating in elections.
To empower youth voices and to drive participation in the 2026 local government elections, the Independent Electoral Commission hosted a symposium at Nyenyezi TVET College in Boboyi recently.
According to provincial electoral officer, Ntombifuthi Masinga, there has been a decrease in youth participation in elections. She added that it raised a question whether this reflected youth apathy or lack of confidence in the system of democracy to meet their needs, since the youth now believe that basic needs are more important than democracy.
“We are here to plead with the youth, we are trying to get them on the voters’ roll and to participate in the elections. Our numbers show that youth participation keeps on decreasing, but they make up 60% of the country.”
She said as much as they are a large number, their participation in the elections does not even reach the 40% mark.
Also participating in the event were youth formations of political parties, tertiary students, youth desk, youth council, traditional institutions, disability sector and executive council of learners.
Guest speaker, Thabani Khalala who is the district chairperson for the Civil Society Forum said that they support young people as they also have a youth sector.
“We understand that this will give a voice to young people and also contribute to the change that they want to see.”
He added that events such as these allow the youth to engage with relevant stakeholders, so that they are informed about certain issues and the role they can play.
TVET College students had their say about the IEC’s symposium and voiced why it’s important for the youth to vote.
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