Speaking notes of the Executive Chairperson of The National Youth Development Agency (Nyda), Mr Sifiso Mtsweni at the occasion of the launch of the NYDA voter registration and education campaign, Kwaggafontein, Mpumalanga province
Programme Director,
Executive Mayor of Thembisile Local Municipality, Cllr Nomsa Mtsweni
Deputy Chairperson of the NYDA Board,
Members of the NYDA Board
CEO of the NYDA, Mr Waseem Carrim
Executive Management,
Cllr Mpumi,
Distinguished Guests,
The representative of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC)
Members of the media,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good day,
South Africa’s fifth democratic administration has entered its final year with national general elections due mid-year. The history of our country tells a tale of sacrifice and commitment by young people to bring apartheid to its knees. Thus, when we speak about entrenching the values and safeguarding our democratic dispensation one cannot overemphasize the role of the youth.
Every year, South Africa celebrates the bravery of the class of 1976 and we continue to express gratitude to the generation that heralded an era of democracy and freedom. Lest we forget the role played by young people such Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu, whom at the face of death remarked: “My blood will nourish the tree the will bear the fruits of freedom”. It is young people like Peter Mokaba, affectionately known as the Roaring Lion of the North, who took up leading role during the struggle against apartheid domination. This year is no ordinary year South Africa’s youth. Peter Mokaba would have been 60 years old had he lived. Many young people were deprived of their youth, by confronting the apartheid beast towards a non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa.
In 2018, NYDA committed to fighting youth unemployment and declared the year, THE YEAR AGAINST YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT. We are glad to report that we have successfully lobbied the government to scrap experience as a requirement for all entry-level vacancies. A demand justified by the high unemployment rate amongst graduates.
This year we have declared it the year of the YOUTH. A year of great determination towards ensuring that the agenda of youth is realised. We are at the centre of ensuring that as many young people make it to the legislators in the country. We need radical and militant young people to fill up the benches of Parliament. For Peter Mokaba and his generation declared “Nothing about us, without us”. A slogan that continues to drive the agenda for youth socio-economic empowerment. This year we will roll-out the NYS programme to reach 1 million young people.
Today, our voter education drive started at Entokozweni High School wherein we encouraged eligible learners to get their ID documents, go register and vote. This we did cognisant to the fact that schools remain cardinal in entrenching values of democracy. It is our belief that a clear partnership between our schools and the Department of Home Affairs will go a long way in ensuring that our learners get their ID books and smart cards timeously and register this upcoming weekend.
We also visited the CN Mahlangu TVET College and spread the message of hope and encourage young people to go and register and vote. Our team took time to teach youth about Xse, which is synonymous to the ‘X’ that voters put on the ballot paper and which has featured in previous election campaigns. Students have promises us to exercise their right to vote by going out in their numbers to register and vote.
As we head to the polls as young people, we are celebrating the right to vote as a significant tool to restore the values of a non-racial society. It cannot be business as usual that a day does not go by without incidents of racism in our country. Our schools should not be a battlefield of racial superiority. Our country deserves better.
The IEC has launched the National and Provincial Elections 2019 programme. During the launch, Chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), Mr Glen Mashinini said, “Despite representing over 50 per cent of the population, South Africans aged under 30 years old have the lowest levels of voter registration.
“The young people of South Africa comprise an increasingly powerful and crucial segment of our economy, our culture, our democracy and our country. But until they register and vote they are unable to exercise their right to participate in choosing the future of our country”.
It is in this context that as the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) viewed this report as a serious indictment onto our maturing democracy. We have as a response to this low voter registration amongst the youth mandated the National Youth Service Programme (NYSP) unit of the agency to develop a comprehensive strategy and come up with a campaign. The thrust of the campaign would be to support the registration drive and encourage voter registration ahead of elections. At the epicentre of this campaign will be urging young people in general, first-time voters, in particular, to register and vote come election day.
Through the social cohesion pillar, entrenching democracy and ensuring patriotism, the NYDA has taken an initiative to deliver the Voter Registration and Education Campaign (VREC). The intention is to capacitate youth and increase youth participation during elections period. Young people must know their role in preserving our democracy and the power they have, which is exercised through casting one’s vote.
There is a further concern that youth particularly in rural areas, often mention that they are not aware of various voter education programs. Therefore, it becomes very important that all key stakeholders in the youth development sector take lead in ensuring that young people of South African are informed about their role and importance they have in elections. Youth participation in elections is the responsibility of every citizen, to build the knowledge of patriotism and partake in the strengthening democracy.
The NYSP has collaborated with the IEC to come up with the Voter Education and Registration (VREC). This campaign rolled out across nine provinces gathering the highest number of volunteers for the VREC shows the deepest sense of patriotism amongst our youth to preserve the legacy of Tata Madiba and Mama Albertina Sisulu.
It is important to highlight the following as some of the successes of government as it relates to fighting triple challenges of unemployment, poverty and inequality:
1. The government has declared Free Education with NSFAS administering the fund for qualifying students as per the criteria determined by the state for a household earning 350 000 or less per annum.
2. President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged companies to invest in the country and give priority to the youth (Jobs Summit)
3. The government has launched the Youth Employment Service (YES) to enable youth to find employment.
4. Establishment of the Ministry of Small Business Development
In this week, the NYDA will ensure that all eligible voters take the opportunity to visit the IEC offices weekdays from 8 am to 5 pm. The IEC provides assistance in all official languages on 0800 11 8000 and is available to respond to queries submitted via email and the IEC’s Twitter account and Facebook page. We take this opportunity to encourage young people to check if they are registered by using the SMS line. To check if one is registered please SMS ID numbers to 32810. A key aspect of the campaign will also be to encourage already registered voters to also use the opportunity of the registration weekend or the online facility to check and update their address details.
We hope that our efforts to mobilise young people to exercise their democratic right will assist in strengthening democracy. Our volunteers are visible in the street of every township and village in the country, work with them and get the necessary information about the IEC and elections workshops held in our communities.
I officially declare the NYDA Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu Voter Education and Registration Campaign Officially open.
Ngiyabonga.
