With the national and provincial elections approaching, young South Africans are gearing up to cast their votes on 29 May to protect the country’s freedom and democracy.
Vuk’uzenzele took to the streets to speak to the youth about the importance of voting.
Kwagile Tuge (20) from Soweto is a Political Science student at the University of Johannesburg. He registered to vote because he wants to be among the youth whose votes will make a difference in the future of the country.
“I feel that we are morally free but economically we [black people] are still constrained. A lot of people who were systematically oppressed during apartheid are still facing financial challenges, but we will achieve the freedom that we are striving for [through our votes],” he said.
Mbali Magudulela (23) of Pretoria is a Social Work student at the University of Pretoria (UP). She has registered to vote because she wants to see change, especially in the education system of the country.
“I feel like freedom is there but not so much. We are still limited to other resources than other races, so when we celebrate our freedom and democracy it is good, but I hope that there will be a change from here onwards so that there can be equality in all aspects,” she said.
Ayabonga Memela (19), also from Pretoria is a Bachelor of Education student at UP. He registered to vote because he understands the importance of democracy and the role that young people play in it.
“South Africans are facing high unemployment rate. I know that after graduating I will struggle to find a job, so I don’t really enjoy freedom [as yet]. People don’t have financial freedom, which is why I think it is an important thing to have,” he explained.
Amogelang Sebethuma (22) from Pretoria is a Bachelor of Education student at UP. He has registered to vote because he wants to see change in the country.
“I was not there during apartheid, but the way they explain things it seems like it was hard for the majority of citizens. Living in the times of freedom is very nice because it gives us an opportunity to do a lot of things like going to school and we are now living in a time where we are equal.
Celebrating 30 years of freedom and democracy not only marks the emancipation of South Africans from apartheid but also the return of their essential human rights in 1994,” he said.
Masego Lidwaba (21) of Pretoria is a Bachelor of Education student at UP. She registered to vote because she wants to see change and fight against high unemployment rate and inequality through her vote.
“I feel like it is up to the youth to vote and ensure that we change the current situation that we are facing in south Africa,” she said.
She added that it is hard to celebrate 30 years of freedom and democracy when there is lot that is not going right, including unemployment, inadequate housing for residents, and the inequality gap.
Lila Harrys (20) is a Medical student at UP. She said it is important to have an opportunity to have a voice and participate in making South Africa a better place. She registered to vote because she wants to see change and growth in the country, especially in the education system and unemployment rate.
“Democracy is important because everyone’s voice matter, seeing that before 1994 we lived in a country where there was no freedom for some people. I feel a lot happy because now we all have equal rights,” she said. ¥
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