Ideally, I would want all young people to be registering to actually vote in the upcoming national elections; however, while they decide on whether or not they want to vote and whom they want to vote for etc. I want to simply lobby young people to be on the safe side and register to be eligible to vote.

Registering to vote doesn’t mean you are voting, it really won’t take anything away from you. However, if you find yourself in a position where you are now convinced to vote and you want to vote, you do not want to find yourself unable to vote due to the fact that you did not register. As a young person I know that F.O.M.O (fear of missing out) is a real thing and everything.

So one may ask why I am merely motivating in the interim for young people to solely register to vote and not necessarily to vote. It is because I am well aware that even though for some of us it is automatic that we appreciate our civic responsibility to participate in the democracy of our country, for others it may not be the case and that is, of course, for various reasons. 

Acknowledging that many of my peers and those both younger and older than me are at crossroads on this particular issue, I decided to have a conversation with young people on Instagram about whether or not they are registered to vote, if they are going to register to vote, if not why? Are they going to vote, if not why?

It was great to read that many young people with who I interact on Instagram were registered, and some were saying that they have not registered but will be registering and further asking where they must register. Some were saying they have not registered and some were even saying they don’t see why they should register to vote. Post this interaction I felt that young people are split on this particular civic responsibility. Looking at the shortfalls of our government one may understand why some may be disgruntled but I also feel that we have failed in terms of civic education. We have failed to make South Africans of all ages understand their role in protecting our democracy.  Hence, we find ourselves having to encourage young people to fulfil a duty and privilege that many lives were sacrificed for.

And even though I feel as though we have failed on civic education, I must appreciate what @nomangxongo_ said yesterday in the online conversation when she said ‘nothing about us, without us. Voting makes one feel like they are part of something bigger than themselves. Debatable of course, but it is nice to hold people accountable because you know they are in a position of influence because of your vote and your belief in their capabilities. To know that it is you who sent them to represent you.

However being involved and not just voting is also very vital.

Structures and organisations are guided by policies and documentation. The more you get involved, the more you get the opportunity to create and amend the very documents that influence the way the country is governed’.

There has been great concern among various political parties and the State on whether or “ama2000” are going to vote. The following comments give hope that perhaps they will be participating in the upcoming elections.

‘Yes! It’s my first time voting in national elections, wouldn’t miss! + My vote counts’ - @karabomokgonyana 

‘Registered last year already!!! My first time voting. You know what it is!!!’ - @mandisa.m_

And then there were more positive remarks:

‘We’re registered and ready…’ - @linwills17

‘Already registered and will be confirming via sms, before the weekend’ - @qhawed

“Yes, our democracy depends on it… The ballot paper is stronger than the bullet” – @Zannotti.07

As a young person who appreciates the individual role that one can play in growing South Africa, I truly hope that young people will go out in their numbers this Saturday and Sunday (26 and 27 January 2018) and exercise their civic right and responsibility by going and registering to vote in the upcoming national elections.

This is our country we must actively play a role in growing it!

For information on where to register, how to register, when register etc. – Go onto the IEC website www.iec.org.za or download the IEC app on your phone

Written by Nompendulo Mkatshwa, a BSc Geography Graduate from University of the Witwatersrand, PGCE Candidate University of South Africa, Gender Advisory Committee Member, Former President Student Representative Council Wits, Former South African Students Congress Chairperson at Wits and Former Deputy Chairperson of Wits ANC Youth League

Nompendulo is a regular Polity contributor