Twenty one youth ambassadors of the Electoral Commission will be joining thousands of South Africans for the 702 Discovery Walk the Talk in Johannesburg on Sunday, 26 July 2009. It is the first time that an IEC team will participate in this annual event which is an initiative of Discovery and their media partner, Radio 702.
“We believe that this is a good platform for our youth ambassadors to interact with all South Africans, but in particular other young people,” said Chief Electoral Officer, Advocate Pansy Tlakula.
The 702 Discovery Walk The Talk will give them an opportunity to talk about their involvement in electoral processes and their vision and support for the strengthening of electoral democracy in our country.
The Electoral Commission launched the youth ambassadors programme on 19 February 2009 with the aim of strengthening electoral democracy among the youth. Their responsibilities are to act as champions of the IEC mandate by way of promoting electoral democracy driven activities in their respective areas of influence and communities through various initiatives.
The youth ambassadors represent a wide range of categories among others the field of sports, media, business, faith-based, private sector, public sector and entertainment. They are young South Africans who are respected in their chosen careers and communities.
The following IEC youth ambassadors will be taking part in the walk:
* Jonathan Ramotsei Media
* Kopano Marumo Media
* Refiloe Tsotetsi Entertainment
* Simi Siwisa Business
* Zama Ngcobo Media
* Brett Stuart Sport
* Ofentse Mocheko Student
* Josephine Dikobe IEC
* Nthabiseng Mogase IEC
* Akani Mushwane IEC
* Phindile Aphane IEC
* Dumisani Patrick Khumalo IEC
* Meisie Tshabalala IEC
* Johannes Thipane IEC
* Emelda Mokwena IEC
* Didintle Kotsedi IEC
* Nikita Brown IEC
* James Aphane IEC
* Julia Moroka IEC
* Nadine Johnson IEC
* Rachel Malele IEC
The youth ambassadors’ programme is aimed at promoting and increasing the participation of the South African youth in the National, provincial and municipal elections. The youth ambassadors have a defined role which complements the implementation of the IEC’s broad communication, civic as well as voter education strategy.
We wish the IEC team an injury free walk and to remember that each step they take is one step closer to the number one spot.
Enquiries:
Kate Bapela
Cell: 082 600 6386
Issued by: Independent Electoral Commission
24 July 2009
Source: Independent Electoral Commission (http://www.elections.org.za/)
