Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela has urged students and young people across South Africa to turn out in numbers for Wednesday’s local government elections, warning that frustration and disappointment with political leadership should not discourage them from exercising their democratic right.
Manamela said the November 4 elections presented an important opportunity for young people to influence decisions that directly affect their daily lives, particularly in communities where they live, study and work.
For some students, Wednesday’s elections will mark the first time they have had an opportunity to vote, a responsibility the minister said should not be taken lightly.
On Wednesday, Manamela called on all eligible students and young people to participate in the elections, emphasising that the right to vote was secured through generations of struggle and sacrifice.
He said young people should recognise that their participation was essential to strengthening South Africa’s democracy.
“You have the right to question. You have the right to disagree. You have the right to demand better. And you have the right to choose who you believe should represent you. But with these rights comes the responsibility to participate,” Manamela said.
The minister’s appeal comes as South Africans head to voting stations to elect councillors and political representatives who will oversee municipalities responsible for delivering basic services, including water, electricity, sanitation, refuse removal and maintaining roads.
Manamela said local government was the sphere of government closest to ordinary people because decisions taken by municipalities directly affected the conditions in which communities lived.
For students, these decisions can influence access to reliable services, safe communities, functioning public infrastructure and an environment conducive to learning.
He argued that higher education should go beyond equipping young people with academic qualifications and professional skills.
According to Manamela, education should also develop their ability to think critically, understand their rights and responsibilities, and participate meaningfully in society.
The minister also acknowledged that some young people might feel disconnected from the political process because of frustration, disappointment or a lack of confidence in those holding public office.
However, he urged them not to allow these feelings to convince them that their votes and participation were meaningless.
“Democracy is not sustained only by those who hold public office. It is sustained by citizens who participate in it. Young people are an important part of our society, and your experiences, aspirations and concerns matter and so does your participation,” he said.
His message places young voters at the centre of the country’s democratic process, particularly as municipalities continue to face public scrutiny over service delivery, infrastructure challenges and accountability.
Manamela further encouraged students to confirm their voter registration details and ensure they cast their ballots at their designated voting stations.
He also called for peaceful participation and urged young people to respect the choices made by fellow South Africans, regardless of their political affiliations.
The minister said the elections provided an opportunity for young people to demonstrate that they were informed, engaged and willing to contribute to strengthening democracy.
“Let us demonstrate that the young people of South Africa are informed, engaged and prepared to play their part in strengthening our democracy,” he said.
South Africa’s local government elections give registered voters an opportunity to elect representatives who will make decisions about service delivery and development priorities in their municipalities for the next five-year term.
For Manamela, the message to students is that demanding better leadership and holding elected representatives accountable should go hand in hand with participating in the democratic process.
