As South Africa celebrates the 20 years of freedom and democracy, the Gauteng department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation will collaborate with South Africa’s finest celebrities to embark on roadshows at high schools and FET colleges to encourage the youth to vote.
The roadshows themed “20 Years of Freedom and Democracy; telling our good story with celebrities” are aimed at reflecting on the past 20 years by highlighting the achievements thereof in Gauteng.
“This year’s general elections are of significance because youth born in the year of democracy in 1994 will have an opportunity to vote for the first time. As a department responsible to promote democracy and civic-duty-citizenry, we hope working with these celebrated individuals will help us connect especially with the youth. We want them to go and vote but before that to understand the need and importance of voting. It is easy for them to ignore this because they were not there before 1994," says Lebogang Maile, MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation.
The department will use the week of the 24th April to 6th May to visit 2 high schools and 1 FET college per day around Gauteng to encourage the youth to exercise their right to vote on the 7th May 2014.
The year 2014 marks the 20th anniversary of freedom and democracy where South Africa’s majority voted for the first time for a democratically elected government, which was led by the late Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.
“We hope this partnership with celebrities as part of their social responsibility initiative will assist in enhancing the interest of the communities to go and vote,” added MEC Maile.
Names of celebrities:
Patrick Shai (Generations)
Mpho Molepo(Rhythm City)
Kere Nyao (Zone 14)
Thulani Didi (Zone 14)
Nomza Buthelezi (Rhythm City)
Maggie Williams (Rhythm City)
Nthati Moshesh (Scandal)
For media enquiries contact:
Nomazwe Ntlokwana
Cell: 083 507 8068
Tel: 011 355 2578
E-mail: nomazwen@gpg.gov.za
