19 February 2009
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) launched a programme of the
"Youth Ambassadors for Electoral Democracy" today, an event which marked the
commitment of the IEC to work with the youth from diverse formations in the
country. Central to the objectives of the programme is the need to instil a
desire amongst the youth of South Africa to participate in deepening democracy
through peer mobilisation and collaborative endeavours. The event took place in
Pretoria at the Innovation Hub.
The IEC hopes that this programme will also reinforce the momentum that was
gained through improved registration figures of the youth during the second
voter registration on 7 and 8 February 2009. The involvement of other youth
structures in steering this mobilisation action has notably made an impact and
continued collaboration is encouraged.
The youth ambassadors will have a defined role which complements the
implementation of the IEC's broad communication, civic as well as voter
education strategy. The programme will be cascaded to the provincial offices of
the commission with each province appointing ten ambassadors. The central
co-ordination of the programme will be done at the national office in
Pretoria.
The following attributes were taken into account when ambassadors were
identified. He/she must:
* be between the ages of 18 and 35
* not be involved in active political activity including using this platform to
campaign for a political party during the tenure of their membership
* display a willingness to commit to the vision and guiding principles of the
Electoral Commission
* be available to perform the roles and responsibilities of youth ambassadors
nationally for at least 12 months
* display leadership skills in their chosen field
* be able to communicate with integrity at all levels of social structures.
The ambassadors will be required to abide by the following principles in
working with the IEC:
* should not use their designation to promote party politics
* should not use the position for personal gain
* encourage the youth to exercise their democratic right
* have high moral values
* be seen as role models in their communities and chosen field of work
* be prepared to participate in any mentoring programme that seeks to maximise
the attainment of the goals of this programme.
The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Adv Pansy Tlakula, said the Electoral
Commission was proud to announce the 18 eligible and willing young South
Africans who have taken the pledge as pioneers of the programme. They will be
assisted by 15 IEC staff members from national office. Advocate Tlakula
emphasised the need for the youth from the different sectors to work together
in pursuing the objectives of this noble venture. The following people have
been enlisted on the programme:
Bryan Habana
Sector: Sport
Carly Fields
Sector: Media
Danny
K
Sector: Entertainment
David Kau
Sector: Entertainment
Jonathan Ramotsei
Sector: Media
Kopano Marumo
Sector: Media
Lebo Mashile
Sector: Art
Lebohang Thabana
Sector: Business
Linda Ntuli
Sector: Business
Louise Carver
Sector: Entertainment
Lungile Radu
Sector: Entertainment
Natalie Du Toit
Sector: Sport
Refiloe Tsotetsi
Sector: Entertainment
Simi Siwisa
Sector: Business
Sonia Sedibe
Sector: Entertainment
Thomas Msengana
Sector: Media
Zama Ngcobo
Sector: Media
Ofentse Mocheko
Sector: Student
Josephine Dikobe
Sector: IEC
Nthabiseng Mogase
Sector: IEC
Akani Mushwane
Sector: IEC
Paul Moyane
Sector: IEC
Sindi Sithole
Sector: IEC
Phindile Aphane
Sector: IEC
Hluphi Baloyi
Sector: IEC
Dumisani Patrick Khumalo
Sector: IEC
Motolokwane Void Letlhafe
Sector: IEC
Meisie Tshabalalal
Sector: IEC
Johannes Thipane
Sector: IEC
Chunku Ann Motha
Sector: IEC
Emelda Mokwena
Sector: IEC
Didintle Kotsedi
Sector: IEC
Nikita Brown
Sector: IEC
This initiative comes at a time where the young people of South Africa are
taking an interest in their democracy and this programme will open up the
dialogue between the youth and the commission.
For media queries please contact:
Kate Bapela
Cell: 082 600 6386
Issued by: Independent Electoral Commission
19 February 2009
