Rekord this week spoke to some youths in Sunnyside, Pretoria, to hear their views about the upcoming elections and gauge their level of eagerness to vote.
Here is what they had to say:
Photo: Ron Sibiya
Palesa Mpahane (19) said she was happy that she would vote for the first time in her life in the local government elections.
“The youth are the future of this country and, therefore, I will vote to protect the future of this country.”
She said she could not wait to vote.
“We have been silent for so long and it is now about time to make our voice heard through voting.”
Photo: Ron Sibiya
Abigail Solomons (21) said the upcoming local government elections were necessary for the people to express their opinions.
“I hope that I will vote for the right people who will bring change,” said Solomons.
She said it was a pity that they vote based on wonderful promises of political parties and after winning the elections the moment of truth often become something different from the actual promises. Solomons believes that the leaders to be chosen by the people during elections would walk the talk.
“I am going to vote.”
Photo: Ron Sibiya
Rudolph Sigudla also said he could not wait to vote.
“I am willing and cannot wait to vote on the first of November,” he said.
The 27-year-old said his vote was important.
“Voting will show that I am a responsible South African citizen who exercises his right to vote. It will also provide me with the opportunity to choose a political party of my choice to lead the local government in my area.”
Photo: Ron Sibiya
Siyabonga Nkosi (25) said the elections provide the citizens of this country an opportunity to bring change. He said he was, however, concerned that some youth wrongfully view it as a time-wasting exercise.
“I am a little bit disappointed because some of the youth do not take voting seriously. They believe voting is a useless exercise that only helps certain politicians and politically connected individuals live lavish lifestyles while the masses suffer.”
He said even though such beliefs might be partially true, “at the end of the day voting brings change at, however, a slower pace than we expected”.
Nkosi said voting was important because it provides residents with the power to choose an organisation of their choice to lead them.
“If you do not vote, wrong people may be elected to lead us and that would be a big problem.”
Photo: Ron Sibiya
Mpho Molefi said he was hoping that the upcoming local government elections would bring changes.
“I am expecting to see better education for children and more job opportunities for people who have tertiary education,” Molefi said.
The 22-year-old said he had a degree but he could not find a job because of a lack of job opportunities.
“I hope that most of my peers would vote and stop complaining about change without doing anything about it. We post about it on social media platforms, but we are not taking any action to solve the problem. I am looking forward to vote in the upcoming elections.”
Photo: Ron Sibiya
Letlhogonolo Mogweemang (21) said the upcoming local government elections were more important.
“We need to elect a strong team that will make the country and its people recover from the impact of Covid-19,” Mogweemang said.
He said he was looking forward to vote to have a voice in bringing change to the country.
Photo: Ron Sibiya
Thandeka Seotlo said she was ready for the local government elections.
“I am going to vote because it is the right thing to do,” said Seotlo.
The 22-year-old said voting would help her and others in the country to choose political parties to lead municipalities.
“Voting is our voice in the decision-making of this country. It enables us to choose people who seem to represent the interests of the general public.”
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We acknowledge that the print and digital media plays an important role when it comes to informing communities before and during election periods.
Caxton Local Media tells readers what they must know on the practicalities of voting, and provides information regarding the right and duty to vote. Where necessary, we de-bunk mis- and disinformation relating to elections.
We reflect a multiplicity of voices in our pre-election and election reporting, and do not allow favouritism or biasedness in favour of any party or candidate. Where topics are discussed by political representatives [or commentators – optional], or where reporting features various parties or figures, we allow for the reflection of multiple voices of all those involved. Being balanced is our goal.
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