MBOMBELA – A string of researches recently conducted proved that young people are reluctant to participate in the upcoming general elections.
The Mbombela executive mayor,
Cllr Cathy Dlamini, whose institution also recently conducted its own research, has pleaded with the youth to register to be eligible to vote.
This weekend marks the final opportunity for voter registration. While handing out food parcels to destitute families in the communities of Nelsville, Matsulu, Shabalala and Nyongane, Dlamini appealed to young people, especially first-time voters to go out and register this Saturday and Sunday to vote in the coming general elections.
“This year’s elections are so historic in many ways for our people and our young democracy. They coincide with the celebration of 20 years of democracy and also come at a time when the crop born after 1994 are eligible to vote for the first time,” she said.
“It is for this reason that I want to call upon and urge all young people within this municipality and beyond to get registered with the Independent Electoral Commission this weekend. This is the only way they will make their voices heard and count, registering first and then take part in the upcoming elections.”
More than one million young people are expected to take to the polls and more than 100 000 of them will vote for the first time ever.
“Let us honour the spirit of the father of democracy, Nelson Mandela, by just taking a few minutes of our time to register.
“This is what he fought for and it is the youth of this country who has to continue his legacy and help strengthen our democracy.”
