KABOKWENI – As South Africa has been mourning the death of global icon, the late Dr Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, this period has also served as an eye-opener for the youth, especially the so-called born-frees.
It was an opportune time for them to practically learn the history of the struggle. Mpumalanga News interacted with many young people, and most of them indicated that watching the history of the father of nation on TV gave them a reason to take part in the national general elections that will be held next year.
Musawakhe Myeni (18) said, “It was a mourning period for South Africa and it’s not easy to accept that Tata is gone, but at the same time he revived our spirit as young people. Now I understand where we come from. I understand our history and it’s time to wake up, especially for our leaders to ensure that Mandela’s legacy doesn’t disappear. I’m going to vote next year since I was discouraged in such a way that I didn’t bother even to register, but I believe that next year there will be another chance to check your name on the list and to register. I’m going to use that chance,” he explained.
Asked by this publication why he was discouraged he said, “Well, I’m still young, but I have noticed that our current leaders are failing people. They make promises that they don’t keep, at the end they focus on enriching themselves and Mandela was not like that. They must do introspection. The only people who are benefiting in this democracy are politicians. What about ordinary people?” he asked.
Another resident, Sebenzile Malaza (19) said, “When president Jacob Zuma sang the song ‘Senzeni na e Africa, sono sethu kuba mnyama’ I couldn’t take it anymore. I just cried. I understand exactly what Mandela fought for and spent 27 years in jail for. I know that we have special days that we commemorate such as Freedom Day and Youth Day, but I didn’t have more background, but now I can even stand in front of the people and explain why we say Tata was the father of the nation. I salute him, may his soul rest in peace.”
During the registration of national general elections that was recently held, this newspaper visited various voting stations to check whether the born-frees had interest in voting next year. It was discovered that the majority were not.
