Youth Voting Project: Using social media to empower the next generation of leaders

In the lead-up to the elections, we are amplifying the voices of young South Africans from diverse backgrounds and regions.

Through City Press' Youth Voting Project, we are creating a platform for them to share their stories, struggles and hopes.

From the bustling streets of Gauteng to the coastal towns of the KwaZulu-Natal, and from the vibrant city centres to the rural heartlands, our young contributors will be sharing glimpses into their daily lives through social media takeovers and exclusive profiles in our publication.

Join us as we explore the realities, aspirations and voting priorities of the next generation of leaders, change-makers and citizens.

Get ready to be inspired, educated and motivated to make your mark in the upcoming election.

Meet our young voices

Innocentia Mafoko Mohlala (31) is from Limpopo but grew up in Slovo Park, Springs, Gauteng, and is the owner of I'm beauty Salon in Payneville, also in Springs.

Innocentia Mafoko Mohlala wants to stay informed, motivated and connected to what's happening in her community.

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Mohlala is passionate about engaging with initiatives that empower young people and provide opportunities for growth. She wants to stay informed, motivated and connected to what's happening in her community. Through this project, she hopes to learn, develop as a person and access new opportunities to help her salon business thrive.

Mohlala hails from a marginalised community on the East Rand, where she faces numerous challenges, including high unemployment rates, limited access to youth development programmes (learnerships, internships), poor education that leads to crime and social issues (substance abuse, violence), and infrastructure problems (power outages; sewage drain issues; damaged roads and water pipes).

Despite these challenges, she is determined to make a positive impact in her community and create a better future for herself and others.

Mohlala plans to create engaging and informative content, using videos, social media influencers and community leaders to reach a wider audience.

Nyeleti Ngobeni (22) is from Tzaneen in Limpopo but is currently located in Turfloop, where she attained a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from the University of Limpopo and is currently pursuing an honours degree.

Nyeleti Ngobeni believes in the power of young voices to shape the future of South Africa and wants to reveal the concerns of young people in her community.

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Ngobeni believes in the power of young voices to shape the future of South Africa and wants to reveal the concerns of young people in her community.

Like Mohlala, Ngobeni's community faces numerous challenges, including high unemployment rates, limited access to quality education and healthcare, and a lack of infrastructure development.

Ngobeni identifies three main reasons that young people don't vote: apathy, lack of understanding about the voting process, and feeling disconnected from politicians and the political process.

She plans to use social media to educate and encourage young people to vote, highlighting the importance of voting and providing resources on how to do so.

READ: ‘Noma Rally’ leads youth choice for votes as unofficial face of young people

Gugu Maria Mahlangu (24) from Matshiding in Mpumalanga, who is currently pursuing a diploma in fabrication engineering at CN Mahlangu Campus of the Nkangala TVET College, feels empowered participating in the project, knowing her voice and opinions matter. She sees it as a way to express her values and beliefs.

Gugu Maria Mahlangu identifies several issues in her community, including limited access to healthcare, environmental concerns, social isolation and mental illness.

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Mahlangu identifies several issues in her community, including limited access to healthcare, environmental concerns, social isolation and mental illness.

She believes that many feel disconnected from the political process due to mistrust in politicians or believing their vote won't make a difference.

Mahlangu plans to create engaging and informative content tailored to young voters' interests and concerns, using visually appealing infographics, short videos and interactive posts to highlight the importance of civic engagement and the impact of voting on issues affecting young people.

Sharing her personal experience, she said:

Sifiso Nkadimeng (25) is a self-taught photographer located in Cape Town, who is concerned about the disinterest and misinformation among young people regarding voting.

Sifiso Nkadimeng wants to educate himself and others about the importance of voting, especially since young adults and teenagers make up the majority of the population.

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He wants to educate himself and others about the importance of voting, especially since young adults and teenagers make up the majority of the population.

Nkadimeng admits that he has not been interested in politics and hasn't voted before. However, he recognises the significance of voting and wants to use this project as an opportunity to learn and teach others.

He believes that young people are misinformed and disillusioned with the political process, seeing no significant difference in government operations despite their parents' efforts to vote. He hopes to address this by researching and sharing the advantages and disadvantages of voting.

Nkadimeng plans to do research and educate himself and others about the importance of voting, using his photography skills to visually communicate the message and reach a wider audience.

Nomonde Zondi (26), born in Pietermaritzburg and based in Durban, wants to encourage young people to vote and take an active role in choosing their leaders, recognising the impact it can have on their everyday lives.

Nomonde Zondi plans to relate political issues to everyday struggles, using examples such as the difficulty of affording a loaf of bread.

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Zondi identifies two major issues affecting her community: unemployment and crime, particularly among young people aged 18 to 26, often resulting from poverty and inequality. Secondly, ignorance and disconnection from political issues, with many feeling that politics doesn't affect them personally.

She was personally affected by the July 2021 unrest, which damaged her family's tuck-shop, and experiences regular struggles, such as only buying necessities due to high prices. She also faces daily challenges, such as waking up without water and electricity.

Zondi plans to relate political issues to everyday struggles, using examples such as the difficulty of affording a loaf of bread. She aims to raise awareness and motivate young people to vote by highlighting how political decisions affect their daily lives.

By joining the Youth Voting Project, these young people hope to inspire change and improvement in their communities, recognising the power of young people's voices and votes.

READ: Has the time come for young people to lead South Africa?

Yamkeleka Manjeya (25) is a young politics journalist who is promoting the Youth Voting Project and encouraging young people to vote in the upcoming election.

Manjeya is passionate about politics and recognises the significance of young people's voices and votes in shaping the country's future. With the intense competition among various political parties, including new entrants, Manjeya believes that every vote matters and aims to inspire young citizens to participate in the democratic process.

Yamkeleka Manjeya is passionate about politics and recognises the significance of young people's voices and votes in shaping the country's future.

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Manjeya is committed to providing accurate and unbiased information, helping young people make informed decisions at the polls. By supporting the Youth Voting Project, Manjeya hopes to empower young adults to take an active role in shaping their country's future and create a better tomorrow for themselves and their communities.