IEC slammed for ‘excluding’ poor communities from youth summit

Youth and Anti-Drug Activist, Sibusiso Ntshingila, has slammed notions that young people are entitled and simply want government to solve their problems.

As the IEC looks to bolster young voter participation— the youth activist say underserved communities are being excluded from the conversation.

He’s criticised the electoral commission’s Youth Summit held in Soweto today, saying not enough effort has been made to attract township youth.

Ntshingila says any notions of entitlement among the youth— have been birthed by democracy’s unfulfilled promises.

 

June 16 Soweto Uprising leader, Seth Mazibuko, was among those attending the seminar.

Recent stats show that there are about 14 million unregistered young voters in the country.

The growing apathetic sentiments among the young voters are attributed to them saying they no longer see the voting process as a way to bring about meaningful change.

However, Mazibuko disputes this.

He says the lack of leadership is the reason why South Africa’s youth don’t understand the importance of preserving democracy.

Mazibuko is urging young people to use the ballot and not the bullet in their fight for liberation.

 

The 63-year-old was the youngest member of the South African Students Organisation that planned the June 16th uprisings.

He was arrested in July of that year at age 16 and held in solitary confinement for 18 months.

The anti-apartheid activist has apologised for the mistakes of his generation who, he says, rushed to Parliament and left young people behind. Article by Naomi Kobbie

Want to make your voice heard? Lucky Lebeya, an intern at IEC Gauteng Provincial Office, has got you covered! He's here to 🔌 you on how to register to vote and play your part in shaping the future of our nation. Register today at https://t.co/WorsxgXJOo #YoutVoteMatters pic.twitter.com/N9lHXW6K3J

— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) June 21, 2023