JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng — South Africa’s youth economic contraction concerns have reached a critical point following a 0.2% shrinkage in the second quarter, prompting urgent calls from advocates like South African Youth Council President Thabo Sukanazo Tsheme and South African Students Congress (SASCO) Deputy President Paseka Molete for meaningful inclusion ahead of the upcoming local government elections.
According to recent data, the national economy contracted by 0.2% between April and June, deepening anxieties for a generation already facing severe economic exclusion. Despite young people constituting the largest demographic in the country, their voices remain largely absent from municipal chambers. Tsheme emphasized that the youth vote is not merely symbolic, but transformative, holding the power to shape the nation’s future across education, social justice, and decision-making processes.
A significant challenge remains the gap between voter registration and actual turnout. While the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) reports that eight out of ten registered voters are young people, Molete highlighted that registration does not automatically translate to ballots cast. He pointed to unsatisfactory voter turnout in recent Student Representative Council (SRC) elections as evidence of growing political disinterest. Molete explained that today’s youth frequently ask “why” they should participate, demanding tangible benefits such as job creation, skills development, and a conducive, funded environment for business ownership, rather than abstract political promises.
Tsheme criticized political parties for relying heavily on the historical legacy of the 1976 generation to attract young voters, arguing that this approach borders on gaslighting. While the legacy is respected, today’s youth are grappling with immediate crises, including soaring unemployment and an education system that fails to prevent joblessness. Furthermore, Tsheme noted a logistical disconnect: while online voter registration is seamless, the physical reality of waiting in long lines on election day demotivates many young people, leading them to abandon the process and feel their vote will not count. He suggested the IEC must address this disparity between digital registration and physical voting realities.
Both leaders stressed the urgent need for genuine youth representation in public office. Tsheme expressed concern that young people remain severely underrepresented on the final candidate lists submitted to the IEC for critical local government roles, such as municipal managers and ward councillors. To combat this, Tsheme called for the inclusion of a Youth Development Act within the constitution to hold public offices strictly accountable. He also noted that public representatives operating beyond the standard retirement age of 65 often delay crucial youth development progress.
Looking toward the future, Molete urged young people to draw inspiration from the proactive, self-driven stance of the 1976 generation, who stood up for their rights and educational equity without the backing of formal political parties. While noting that SASCO actively supports policies propelled by the African National Congress (ANC), he stressed that young people cannot afford to be bystanders. Securing jobs, upskilling, and demanding responsive service delivery requires active, large-scale participation in the democratic process.
As the November 4 local government elections approach, the overarching message from youth leadership is clear: young people must be given compelling, actionable reasons to engage, and in turn, they must step forward to hold current and future decision-makers accountable for the country’s trajectory.
