Youth voice out frustrations ahead of 2024 election
"We don’t have support for small businesses from the government. We are pulled from pillar to post for funding."
As the election season gets into full swing, young people including first time voters from various parts of Soweto voiced out their thoughts and concerns regarding the upcoming election during the voter registration weekend.
According to the Electoral Commission, it was targeting 14 million new voters over the two days, many of whom who recently qualified or those who previously abstained for various reasons.
Over the two day voter registration weekend, Urban News spoke to several young people. Unemployment, corruption and service delivery were some of the burning issues that young people said kept them away from the polls.
ALSO READ: EFF Soweto urges residents to vote
Mpho Mbele (29) is the founder of Mamakgo Bakery, which currently employs five youth while operating from a backyard shack.
She said she would only determine if she is going to vote next year as she felt let down by the government.
“I am registered to vote but I am on the fence about voting. Is my vote worth it? What is going to be the outcome from voting for them? We don’t have support for small businesses from the government. We are pulled from pillar to post for funding. As a bakery, it’s hard because we don’t have equipment. The money I get from clients I use to hire and rent out equipment which means loss of profit.”
Thokozile Pika (21), another eligible first-time registered voter, who is currently unemployed, said she hoped that her vote would bring change.
“I am looking for change as I am here just hoping for better. I’ve learnt that staying away from voting does not help either so I decided to come and register.
“This will be my first time so we can express what we want and decide on this change we talk about,” she said, adding that job creation was among the things that young people sought.
Linda Mthembu (27) said although he plannes on voting, he did not blame the majority of his peers who opted not to participate in elections.
“The youth are frustrated. A lot of us are without jobs, they are sitting idly which leads to drugs because they have failed to create jobs. That is why they are not coming out to vote. They are retaliating to the difficult circumstances they face on a daily basis. I don’t blame them, but I think election education is needed the most.”
ALSO READ: Local young people urged to make their vote count
Another first time registered voter, Khaya Ngubane (30) commented, “ It’s an exciting feeling, I already know who I will be voting for and it will be based on what I have seen. As we will be voting, we want a government that will ensure that the country and its citizens prosper. I am here to register so I can have my needs met and put people who will serve those needs.”
