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Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast, Aviwe Mbambo, Dr Siyabulela Mandela, Moagisi Sibanda & Khayakazi Magudamana (IEC provincial head)
The event, held at Mandela University’s Council Chambers in partnership with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), aimed to engage a full audience - primarily students - on the significance of strengthening democratic institutions, starting with the IEC. The central focus of the discussion was the growing disillusionment among the youth regarding their right to vote.
“Our relationship with the IEC should reflect the values our namesake, Nelson Mandela - particularly the importance of education and Democracy in transforming society,” said Prof Pamela Maseko, the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, in her welcoming address.
As the Acting Director of the Centre, which is under the Humanities Faculty, Prof Breakfast pointed out the critical relationship between Democracy, peace, security, and development. He argued that without Democracy, there can be no sustainable peace or development, noting the significant role of public participation in this process.
Prof Breakfast expressed concern over the withdrawal of young people from active politics, calling it a threat to South Africa’s democracy. He acknowledged some of the factors behind this disillusionment, particularly the slow pace of service delivery.
“So, the rationale behind this event is to encourage you to vote in the next local elections, and to strengthen our relationship with the IEC,” said Prof Breakfast. He urged the youth to take up the mantle, just as previous generations did, who fought for the Humans Rights enjoyed today.
Dr Siyabulela Mandela, international relations lecturer, and University alumnus represented the voice of the youth and offered insight into why young people are withdrawing from voting and engaging with politics.
“The general consensus is that democracy thrives when citizens are actively engaged, economically empowered, and when we have faith in the system’s ability to address the needs of the people. However, the current youth unemployment rate (45,5%) undermines the very foundations of Democracy in the country,” he argued.
Dr Mandela highlighted the 'triple challenge' of unemployment, inequality, and social exclusion as key factors driving young people to withdraw from the electoral process. This withdrawal, he explained, is in itself a form of protest.
He also discussed how these factors contribute to the mass emigration of young people in search of better opportunities abroad, often under subpar working conditions.
“It is precisely because of these conditions that we are subjected to, as this generation, that we need to define our mission and strategy, where we need to elect leaders among ourselves to drive this transformation agenda, and address what has promised to us since 1994,” he said.
Aviwe Mbambo, IEC project coordinator and Mandela University PhD candidate, concluded the discussion by addressing voter uncertainty. A survey conducted during last year’s elections revealed that one-third of South Africans remained undecided about who to vote for.
Mbambo noted that this uncertainty is eroding electoral politics in South Africa, contributing to voter apathy, and affecting election outcomes.
“If you don’t know who to vote for, will that not deter you from participating?” she asked, sharing insights into how the electorate thinks before casting their vote. She also emphasised the importance of understanding the different spheres of government, how power is distributed, and how these spheres overlap.
Mbambo called on the engaged young electorate to take ownership of their democracy. “If we say that democracy is governed by the people, for the people, how can you govern something you have little or no knowledge about?” she asked.
“For elections to be meaningful and purposeful, let us add value by participating fully. That means being an informed electorate - one that knows what it wants and why,” she concluded.
Moagisi Sibanda, the general manager of the Outreach National Office echoed Mbambo’s sentiments. She reminded the students in attendance that they are fortunate to have access to vital information and now bear the responsibility to engage with it and pass it on.
“This programme is part of our civic education initiative, which targets young people to ensure that you have a voice in shaping our Democracy and its future growth,” Sibanda said.