Young members of the community were educated in the importance of voting last week at the Voter Education Workshop held at KwaDukuza Town Hall.
KwaDukuza Municipality (KDM) in partnership with National Youth Service (NYS) and National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), welcomed more than 1000 youth, both in and out of school, to the event.
They were given the opportunity to engage directly with the IEC, NYS, NYDA and KDM on development initiatives and opportunities these entities have for the youth, as well as learn of the importance of voting as it relates to budget allocation and delivery of services.
Delivering the keynote address, KwaDukuza mayor Ricardo Mthembu expressed sincerity at the commitment and interest shown by those who attended.
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“When South Africa transitioned into democracy in 1994 – the first time we were able to vote, socio-economic conditions were disheartening amongst black people in particular and non whites in general. Our first democratically elected government faced an enormous challenge in eradicating the legacy of apartheid and improving the lives of millions of South Africans. Hence today, many people still feel not much if not anything has been done for them,” said Mthembu.
“Through being able to vote, we have enabled over 17 million South Africans to receive social grants.
“The biggest challenge we now face is how to get grant recipients out of welfare and into jobs, because job creation is the only sustainable way to improve the lives of the millions of South Africans struggling to make ends meet.
“I think we all agree that progress has been made. The only thing outstanding is the land.
“We cannot be unmindful to the reality that nearly 80% of the country’s land is privately owned whilst our people suffer and must always be evicted in spaces where they have illegally occupied this private land.
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