Will the Youth be heard this time following a drop in registered youth voters?
Judging by the increasing unemployment rate among the youth which remains alarming high with an increase from 52.80% in 2018 to 57.70 in 2019 the whole dynamic needs to change.
May, 11 2019, on the wake of the news by the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) confirming African National Congress’s victory of 57.5%.
The news brought about mixed emotions in our country and communities, especially among the people. Therefore it begs the question whether the youth of South Africa shares the same sentiment as the rest of the country’s decision in entrusting the ANC (African National Congress) with our country.
According to the national voter’s roll statistics, 2019 has been noted to have seen the lowest count of youth voters for over 25 years. In an attempt to find the underlying source behind the non-voting youth in our communities.
We spoke to the Presiding Officer in charge of Basani Primary School voting station in Chiawelo who wanted to remain anonymous he said: “the lack of youth presence is disheartening both for the community and the country.” He says it gives the impression that they are fine with the way things are currently.
Is this disintegration of the South African youth refusal to vote a deliberate act?
The South African youth is confident they know the path they want to follow and judging by their abstinence from the voting polls, none of the 48 registered political parties is worthy of their vote.
Itumeleng Matji, a 21-year-old unemployment mother of 1 from Protea Glen completed her matric two years ago but has yet to receive her matric certificate from Umalusi (Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training).
Matji says the delay in securing the certificate is the cause of her current struggles, she said: “I am not able to secure employment without a matric certificate and have to rely on my father and father of my child for everything”.
The country simply cannot ignore or refuse to recognise the frustration of South African youth.
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The lack of support from the communities and the government leaves the youth vulnerable to other alternative means an attempt to fend for themselves. 29-year-old Mndeni resident who wanted to remain anonymous is awaiting a sentence in one of Johannesburg’s most notorious Correctional Centre Sun City for allegedly murdering her boyfriend.
This mother of 3 has been in and out of prison for the past ten years mainly due to theft.
She says “I am not a criminal, I am merely a mother trying to provide for my children and unemployment presents a challenge for me and my family and due to my criminal record I am not employable”.
If the claims to provide the ideal platform for all is true. Why has the South African youth lost faith in the system and the government which govern us today?
The pattern of resolving issues with false promises is one of the biggest culprits. The youth feels they have been left destitute and rightfully so.
Judging by the increasing unemployment rate among the youth which remains alarming high with an increase from 52.80% in 2018 to 57.70 in 2019 the whole dynamic needs to change.
Protea youth reflect on youth representation in Parliament
https://soundcloud.com/soweto-urban-news/percy-manganye
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