Votes are cast and are being counted after what many political pundits predicted would be our most competitive election to date. Whichever way it goes, the people of South Africa will have to live with the result for the next five years.
In this country where the majority were denied the vote for so long, voting still feels like a privilege.
And yet, many young people eligible to vote either didn’t register to do so or — even if they did — opted not to make their mark.
No doubt, polling analysts will have much to say after this election where 27.67-million people were registered to vote.
If it follows previous elections, it will once again show a declining voter turnout with millions of people opting to stay away.
They need to govern gently, generously and with integrity and for the greater good
It seems to suggest a downward spiral in hope for the future of our democracy.
We slipped from an all-time high of an 89% turnout in the 1990s to just 46% in the 2021 local government elections.
Our democracy once excited people and filled them with hope.
Now there seems to be a painful cynicism, particularly among the youth, about whether making their mark could bring about meaningful change in their lives.
It is something of an irony that not voting in fact favours the political status quo with which so many young people feel disillusioned.
According to most polling firms, a low voter turnout could push the ruling ANC closer to achieving 50% of the vote — which could mean more of that indifference that the youth feel they are currently subjected to.
Youth apathy must surely be a wake-up call to any person or party elected this time round.
Everyone is tired of the self-serving greed of those in positions of power as well as with the inefficient and bloated administration over which they preside.
It is an administration that largely follows the example of our politicians and which shies away from its reason for being — which is to serve the public and improve the lives of the people of this country.
Those that are given the privilege of governing our provinces and our nation for the next five years need a change of heart — whoever they might be.
They need to govern gently, generously and with integrity and for the greater good.
The overall outcome of whatever they do should be improving the lives and futures of our most vulnerable, particularly our youth.
The country needs political stability and policy certainty aimed at growing investor confidence and a vibrant economy to benefit all that live here.
Our young need a stable and quality basic education on which they can later build a future
The next government needs to give this nation reason to hope again.
DispatchLIVE
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