Youth urged to register

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Pretoria - Home Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma has called on South Africans, especially the youth, to apply for IDs, which will give them the ability to register to vote in the Local Government Elections on 18 May.

"We appeal to youth who are 16 years and older to apply for IDs. Not only does it enable you to exercise your democratic right to vote, it equally gives you access to other social services provided by government," said the miniter. 

She was speaking during the launch of the KwaZulu-Natal Stakeholder Form and National Population Register Campaign in Masamini, where she was joined by the Premier of KZN Dr Zweli Mkhize and MEC for Social Development Dr Meshack Radebe.

"South Africans can access the services of the department this weekend, Saturday and Sunday 5-6 March 2011, when our officials will be working extended hours from 8am to 5pm during the Independent Electoral Commission' final registration weekend," said Dlamini Zuma. 

"The IEC, which holds the mandate to ensure free, fair and credible elections, is one of the country's legal institutions that supports the work of the department. [Home Affairs] is committed to ensuring South Africans are issued with valid ID documents, through which they can register to vote in Local Government Elections in May this year."

She reiterated the importance of the need to register babies within 30 days of birth, while emphasizing the importance for those who are 16 years and above to apply for the IDs. 

Dlamini Zuma expressed the hope that the citizens of KZN would feel confident to seek help from and interact with the newly launched Stakeholder Forum, which was established in line with government's commitment to ensuring "the people shall govern" by allowing communities access to the processes of government in a direct manner. - BuaNews