Decision not to vote not apathy but discontent with govt, political parties, say Joburg students

JOHANNESBURG - Young people in Johannesburg who have registered to vote have made it clear that their decision to abstain from voting is not rooted in apathy but rather in their discontent with government, political parties and the democratic system.

While the voter registration drive has seen a surge in young participants eager to exercise their civic duty, a significant number of them are vocal about their disillusionment with the current state of governance.

After the historic national elections in 1994, the country has not been able to arrest the declining voter turnout across all age demographics, but especially among young people, which is increasingly concerning.

In the heart of Braamfontein, a known central university town populated with thousands of young people, one could be forgiven for not realising that Sunday marked a crucial voter registration weekend.

Despite its vibrant and youthful demographic, the area seems to carry few indications of the upcoming elections.

Twenty-three-year-old student Thando said that the mood in the youth hub was not one of indifference about democracy but rather a conscious decision to abstain.

Another student told Eyewitness News that he would be voting – the dilemma, however, is which political party has the integrity and capacity to lead South Africa.

Over this registration weekend, the IEC is determined to get more youth registered to vote.

The commission has encouraged students to be active and responsible citizens of South Africa’s democracy.