More than 14 million citizens of voting age in South Africa, mostly young people, are still not registered for the upcoming national general elections.
In a bid to attract the youth vote, the Independent Electoral Commission has partnered with civic advocacy groups ahead of the 2024 elections.
Ground Work Collective created the X_Change voter registration campaign to encourage the youth to register. This voter registration weekend, they set up in Maponya Mall in Soweto, South of Johannesburg.
The activation is aimed at combatting youth apathy. The activation has taken place in malls, community centres and higher education campuses.
Voter Registration | X_Change Campaign: Encouraging the youth to register: Mbali Ntuli
While the voter registration drive wraps up, South Africans can still register via the online portals.
It’s the day finally! Excited to be in JHB for our private concert with @MusaKeyss ahead of his departure to the @RecordingAcad Grammys
This is what the first cohort of winners of our @gwc_za X_Change registrar campaign have won. A private concert!
There’s still so many more… pic.twitter.com/rB9YFl5Fs2
— Mbali Ntuli (@mbalimcdust) January 27, 2024
Voter education
Voter education, especially among South Africa’s youth, is still a major concern, as figures have shown that the all-important youth vote is still dwindling.
So how do we encourage young people of voting age to get out and register to have a say in shaping the future for generations to come? SABC News speak to Siphesihle Dube. He is the Chief Strategy and Communications Officer of the Ground Work Collective.
