First-time voters from Crawford College Lonehill are ready for election day
LONEHILL – As the elections draw even closer, the Fourways Review spoke to five teenagers who will cast their first-ever votes on 8 May this year.
According to the Independent Electoral Commission, the institution responsible for South African elections, 5 655 475 of South Africa’s 26 736 648 registered voters (or about 21.1 per cent) are aged between 18 and 29, making them a powerful force in deciding the future of our country during the upcoming elections.
The Fourways Review recently spoke to five of these youngsters: Tsholo Gaelejwe, Tanna Beautement, Katya Patterson, Tamarind Harth, and Chloe Woodhouse are all currently in Grade 12 at Crawford College Lonehill and are preparing to vote for the very first time during the national and provincial elections which will take place on 8 May. They may be young, but these teens are approaching the task with maturity and thought as they prepare to make their mark.
“It’s very important to do your own research before you vote,” Beautement said. “You shouldn’t make a decision just on the propaganda that has been put out. My dad especially had the idea that I should do my own research into the parties.”
Woodhouse agreed that the adults in her life, including parents and teachers, have not been trying to dictate to her who to vote for. “My parents have definitely tried not to influence my vote,” she explained.
“We’ve also had some very interesting discussions in class, where we try and hear other ways of thinking and be respectful of others. Teachers have definitely tried to help us be independent thinkers,” added Harth.
This extended to conversations these learners have even among themselves. “We should definitely make up our own minds, and when talking about [the elections] with friends we’ve been trying not to influence each other’s decisions,” added Patterson.
Deciding to keep their votes a secret, though, does not mean that the schoolchildren have not thought deeply about what issues matter to them or based their vote on those priorities.
“I know why I’m making my vote,” explained Gaelejwe. “I’m mostly concerned with two issues – economic and social issues.
“Poverty has not been addressed, and in terms of the economy the market has not been performing well, and these are concerns to me.”
Other issues and concerns raised by the five include corruption, abuse of the court system, a need for a strong response to the reality of climate change and the alarming rates of violence against women and children in South Africa.
Although the majority of those interviewed had not yet made a final decision on which party will receive their X, the youngsters understand the weight and importance of their decision and hope others do the same.
“My advice to others voting is that you should think about the future. I think older generations sometimes think because they’re not going to be around in the future, it doesn’t matter who you vote for. But there’s a common saying that every vote counts, and I think that’s true,” Beautement concluded.
Related article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/fourways-review/302447/elections-2019-voting-hours-extended-overseas-voters/
