Johannesburg - Despite the chilly winter’s morning, Johannesburg’s youth came out in their numbers to cast their vote in the 2016 Municipal Elections.
“I'm feeling awesome, it's going to be my first time," said Zanele Phongolo, who stood patiently in a queue at a voting station in Protea South, on Wednesday.
She said she hopes voting for her chosen political party will change her life.
“I have studied most of the policies from political parties. I have made my choice and it will reshape the socio-economic and future of my area and of the country,” Phongolo told SAnews.
Her concerns include the burden of unemployment, inequality, education and development in the area.
Twenty-year-old Teboho Mntombeni-Rikhotso from Chiawelo believes that one of the major reasons youth do not vote is that they do not know how local government works.
“I believe there needs to be more education on the role of local government and how it is linked to service delivery,” she said.
Mntombeni-Rikhotso said unemployment, lack of skills development, drugs and crime are just some of the major challenges facing the youth in her area.
She the lack of development gives young people little hope.
“Why are drugs are a problem? It’s because of the unemployment, that is our main concern currently - and the lights that keep on going off.”
Some, like Sibusiso Makhabela, 25, said they still have not made a decision on which political party they will vote for, despite registering.
Makhabela believed none of the existing parties, despite their claims, offered a vision for his generation.
“I haven't found a political party that really convinces me to vote for them. It’s been difficult but I will definitely make my mark today - it’s the right thing to do,” Makhabela said.
About 26.3 million people are registered on the voters’ roll.
Analysts and political parties are watching how the youth will vote with keen interest. - SAnews.gov.za
