Register to vote

Voting stations across the country will be open from 8am to 5pm this weekend (Saturday, November 9 and Sunday, November 10) for new registrations, changes to registrations and for voters who would like to verify their details.

If you have moved in the past five years and have not reregistered, or have never registered, now is your opportunity to do so.

Election officials will accept three forms of official identification to registers: a green bar-coded ID book, a valid Temporary Identity Certificate (TIC) and the new smartcard ID.

Brakpan voters can register at the following stations (supplied by the IEC):

* Hoërskool Die Anker, Tweedy Street, Brenthurst.

* Laerskool Die Arend, End Street, Dalview.

* Temporary voting station, Sherwood Shopping Centre, Brakpan North.

* Leachville Full Gospel Church, corner of Kaapmuiden and Privet Streets, Leachville.

* Laerskool Dalview, Braemer Avenue, Dalview.

* Volkskool, Middle Road, Minnebron.

* Temporary voting station, Plot 97, Witpoort.

* Minnebron Tennis Club, George Troskie Street, Minnebron.

* Dalpark Private School, Umkomaas Road, Dalpark Extension Six.

* Town Hall, Kingsway Avenue.

* Brakpan Indoor Sports Centre, Bedford Road.

* Dalcrest Indoor Sports Centre, Roer Road, Dalpark Extension One.

You can check your registration status online at www.elections.org.za, or by texting your ID number to 32810 (R1 per SMS).

For more information on registration and voting, call the IEC voter call centre on 0800 11 8000 (toll free from a land line).

Meanwhile, the Youth Unit of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality has run a series of workshops this week, aimed at educating the youth about democracy and civic responsibility.

The democracy and civic education workshops focused on promoting knowledge of social cohesion among young people, the Constitution, national symbols and fostering national pride and patriotism.

According to Matome Chiloane, of the Youth Unit, the purpose is to empower the young people of Ekurhuleni with enough information so that they realise the importance of registering and voting in next year’s elections.

He explained that the workshops have been planned to coincide with the IEC’s voter registration weekend, so that young eligible voters who have not yet registered may see the importance of doing so.

“A lot of our young people do not realise the importance of participating in our democratic processes, yet they become the first to complain about government services,” said Chiloane.

“Over and above this, a lot of people lost their lives fighting for this democracy and, therefore, we can only honour them by fully enjoying its benefits.

“This includes voting in a free and fair election.”

The final workshop takes place today (Friday), at the Tsakane Hall, at 9am.