With young people making up more than 60% of the South African population, the “youth vote” takes centre stage at every election cycle. Now, with just under 2 weeks left for the local government elections, political parties are gunning for the hearts and minds of young people. In municipalities across the country, parties are putting forward young candidates to represent them.
But are political parties actual serious about youth representation? Are the concerns and voices of young people actually reflected in the politics, positions and policies of parties?
To help us unpack this, our Executive Director, Minhaj Jeenah spoke to:
Joseph Jacobs from the newly formed Cape Coloured Congress
Marvin Christians from the African Christian Democratic Party, and
Zandre Carl Allan from the Good Party