As a young person living in post-apartheid South Africa, it is quite polarising. On the one hand, I am overjoyed that we have the ability to vote on the 29 May 2024, but on the other hand, I am concerned about corruption and the unemployment rate, especially amongst the youth. It is not lost on me that a mere 30 years ago people like me were unable to have their say via elections. This is especially why it is difficult to hear that some people are still unwilling to vote because they feel that their vote won’t make a difference. I spoke to a few young people to understand how they feel, one such person called Pinky shared that this will be her first-time voting, she is hopeful that her vote will count. More importantly, Pinky stresses that she hopes that the youth will be given more opportunities to make our voices heard. However like many others, Pinky does not feel that the past 30 years of democracy have benefited her much. Thabisile bravely shared with me that she cannot give grace and support to a government that requires litigation in order to fulfil its mandate. She laments that unfortunately without the Fees Must Fall movement, she would not have been able to see the inside of a tertiary institute.

What Young People are Hopeful the Elections will Bring:

Youngsters are especially keen to see their issues being bettered and hopeful of what the upcoming elections will bring. One such young person suggested that more opportunities for long-term sustainable employment of young people is important. Another shared that for them, they are hoping for more funding to be allocated to the public healthcare and education sectors. Others are hoping that elections will address issues related to crime and overall the unemployment rate. I agree with the other young people, and do wish that we were able to better understand our roles as citizens so that together we could use our voting power as a tool to address our biggest challenges.

What the political landscape looks like:

Asemahle is robust and shares her views online, she’s grateful to live in a country where elections won’t create political unrest. Like me, Asemahle’s hope is that the youth will take their opportunity to vote seriously even if things look discouraging. After all, the only real way to effect change is to do something, complaining about the current state of affairs is not going to change anything. When looking at the political landscape, it can seem grime for South Africans. Unemployment rates, gender-based violence, crime, and corruption seem to be on the rise. We have seen the Speaker of the National Assembly Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula charged with corruption, the unemployment rate is at a startling 32.9%, our crime index is at 75.4. In addition to the United Nations reported that one in five South African women in relationships are abused by their partners.

What the Youth is Concerned About:

When it comes to the youth however Busiswa Lutshaba says that we need to be more proactive and change the things we are not happy with. In order for the youth to be considered, we have to find solutions and organise amongst ourselves instead of living in silos. This way we can demand action from government and other stakeholders. Busiswa says that the youth is plagued by many issues such as unemployment, crime, drug abuse and that she hopes this changes. Unfortunately, these social ills are a product of socio-economic issues such as unemployment, people find themselves idle and depressed. Busiswa reminds us that while much needs attention, it is not lost on her that today as a Black South African woman she is able to stand in boardrooms with the hope that people listen to her. Thabisile is also concerned about the socio-economic state of the nation, in particular the cost of living, inadequate public transport and the fact that some people have no access to running water and electricity. This is especially alarming because access to water is a basic human right, and electricity being classified by the United Nations as a key to enhancing human well-being.

Hopeful Young People:

It is incredible that while South Africa has a myriad of issues as the youth we are still hopeful and committed to a better future and a country we can all collectively be proud of. I am hopeful that our votes will make a change, our country is a young nation and I believe we can work on the issues that plague us. This means we all have to contribute and not remain silent on corruption, social justice and human rights. In the future, Thabisile hopes we can all experience a dignified life and that burning tyres and rioting will not be the only recourse for the underprivileged. As for me, I am hopeful that the upcoming elections will be the start of a new beginning for us, one where the government is shaken up and made aware of the alternative political options available. I am proud of our Constitution and our laws and optimistic that it will serve as a lighthouse for our future as young South Africans. I am enthused by the young people I have spoken to who are not jaded and able to see the good things we have been given through democracy. Aluta Continua.

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About the author:

Nadine Dirks is a writer, author, opinion-maker, activist, and communications expert. Her work, interests, and expertise lie in intersectional feminism, gender, and sexuality and include sexual and reproductive health and rights, particularly of marginalised people.