What is driving young people to the polls?

What is the youth saying about voting in the local government elections?

2 hours ago

Simangele Khoza 3 minutes read

Nokukhanya Magobedu (23) “It means I honour the freedom many fought for, and I use it instead of wasting it. One mark is small, but together with other young people, it decides whether our votes for education, jobs, and safety are heard.”

As the November 4 local government elections loom, young voters between the ages of 18 and 35 share why their mark is their power—and why staying silent at the ballot box is no longer an option.

“As the youth of today and leaders of tomorrow, our votes do not only demand change, but also represent our hopes and our struggles. We are said to be the generation that will inherit this country, yet many of us young people continue to face unemployment, poverty, and a lack of opportunities. By placing my mark on the ballot paper, I am saying that my voice matters, our concerns deserve to be heard, and our cries for change can no longer fall on deaf ears. We are not just the future of this country—we are part of its present, and we demand leaders who are willing to listen, take responsibility, and create real change. My vote is my voice; hence, I will use it to stand for a better tomorrow.”

“For me, placing my mark means using my voice to shape the future I want to see for myself and other young people. I believe my vote is an opportunity to hold leaders accountable and contribute to positive change, especially in addressing youth unemployment. The mark is small on paper, but it carries a powerful voice that believes in change.”

“Leaving my mark at the polls as a young person means using my vote to make my voice heard and being part of the change I want to see in the country. As a young person, I often complain about unemployment, the lack of opportunities, and the challenges we face, but voting gives all of us a chance to play a role in shaping our future. One vote may not change everything overnight, but it shows that we care about the future of South Africa and want to be part of building a better country for everyone.”

“Placing my mark on the ballot paper means more than just voting to me. It represents my voice, my freedom, and my hope for a better future. As a young person, I want to be part of the decisions that shape our lives, especially when it comes to employment opportunities, education, safety, and development. I believe young people should not only complain about the challenges we face, but also take part in shaping the solutions. My vote is my way of saying that my future matters, my voice deserves to be heard, and I refuse to be left out of decisions that affect me and the next generation. My mark is small on paper, but it carries the weight of my hopes for change.”

“For me, placing my mark on the ballot paper means taking the first step towards the change I want to see in South Africa. As a young person, I cannot ignore the many challenges that continue to affect our country. I believe that change begins with participation, and voting is one of the ways we can make our voices heard and hold our leaders accountable. I find it concerning when young people feel that voting makes no difference, because if we choose not to participate, we give up our opportunity to influence the decisions that shape our future. For me, my mark is more than just a tick on a ballot paper; it is a statement that I care about my country, I care about my generation, and I still believe that South Africa can do better.”