South Africa’s law-makers are getting younger, with almost 40 % of the 400 strong Parliament made up of young MPs below the age of 35.
This is the highest number of youth MPs since 1994, with the youngest MP just four years older than democracy.
Young MPs are ruffling feathers in Parliament, this was not common back in 1994, fast forwarding two decades later, young South Africans now make up nearly 40 % of the National Assembly.
These young people are shaping the way Parliament operates and sometimes challenging established Parliamentary norms.
Leading the young pack is the ANC’s Mduduzi Manana, at just 31 years, he is the youngest member of the Executive, as he holds the post of Deputy Minister of Higher Education.
Then there is Mmusi Maimane and Julius Malema.
At 35 and 34 years-old respectively, they lead the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Fighters, the two largest opposition parties in Parliament.
But the DA says 40 of its MPs are under 35. The DA also claims to have the youngest MP in Yusuf Cassim at just 25.
The EFF says one in every four of its MPs are under 35, party’s national spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi among their youngest members at 30 years.
Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP)’s 28 year-old Mkhuleko Hlengwa and Liezl van der Merwe at 34, are among youngest leaders in South Africa. Both are highly regarded in their party and are said to be future contenders for leadership positions in the IFP.
– By Lukhanyo Calata
