St John’s College held ‘elections’ and an election debate on May 27, chaired by a former head boy of St John’s College and English teacher, Raymond Barrow.
The elections and debates were based on the manifestos of political parties which had visited the school to campaign.
The parties were ACDP, Action SA, ANC, Build One SA, DA, EFF, and RISE Mzansi.
The election results were as follows:
- 1st DA: 287 votes (38. 6%)
- 2nd EFF: 143 votes (19.2%)
- 3rd Build One South Africa: 75 votes (10.1%)
- 4th ANC: 44 votes (5.9%)
- 5th RISE Mzansi: 41 votes (5.5%)
Senior learners in Grades 11 and 12 were tasked to represent the parties that visited the school in the form of an election debate. The learners researched party manifestos and represented the different parties.
Zac Erasmus, who represented the ANC, said he was excited to represent the party.
“The ANC is a party that’s currently under a lot of pressure but they are also governing our country, so in researching their manifesto and establishing my debate I learned how our country is run and what our future might look like.
“It was insightful to see what the goals and aims of the ANC were which changed my views on the party.”
Vashiv Naidoo, who represented the DA, said, “My family have always been DA supporters and I have always followed the party blindly without having an opinion. Researching the DA’s manifesto helped me learn about the party. I have learned what it means to be an opposition in a country with only one party for 30 and understand the necessity of parties such as the DA.”
Tsiamo Mabiletsa, who represented the EFF, noted that he enjoyed the experience.
“I turn 17 years old this year and this is my first experience of an election. I enjoyed reading manifestos and seeing which party resonated with me. The EFF is an eccentric party run by a politician who is full of personality, but reading and engaging with the party’s manifesto made me grow a certain affinity for it. I understand the party’s philosophy and have gained respect for the party.”
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