By SIMTHANDILE FORD
South Africa Africa’s fifth municipal elections will not only see an increase in the number of young people registered to vote, but also in the number of those standing for election.
More than 50 councillor candidates in the Buffalo City Metro (BCM) are younger than 25, according to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
The Democratic Alliance’s Mawethu Kosani is a 25-year-old student at the University of Fort Hare and is standing as a ward councillor candidate for Ward 10, which includes Sweetwaters.
Kosani said coming from King William’s Town, where youth development was not prioritised, he had made it his mission to advocate for youth development.
“I decided to avail myself so that the change I want to see could come through me.”
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has fielded a number of young people to stand as councillors.
The Daily Dispatch last week reported that the party was fielding one of the youngest candidates in the elections next month. Sisonke Jaca, 18, from Bhukazi village, Lusikisiki, is in Grade 9.
In the metro, the EFF is fielding Cikizwa Thuswa, 24, to contest Ward 13, which includes Reeston, Chicken Farm, Scenery Park and Eureka.
She said her mandate was to drive youth programmes that would ensure the advancement of all South Africans. “Young people are the future of this country. The work done today will be theirs to enjoy and to benefit from therefore it is crucial to involve them now.”
The Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) has also put its faith in a some young people.
The party has fielded Zukisani Nyewe, 24, for Ward 47, which includes the East London CBD, Quigney and parts of Southernwood.
Nyewe said the move by political parties to include the youth was long overdue.
“The inclusion of young people in local government will definitely ensure a balanced approach to the strategies aimed at developing the economy of the city.”
The ANC’s youngest councillor candidate is a 27-year-old.
ANC Youth League provincial spokesman Ayongezwa Lungisa accused the other parties of employing “public relations tactics”.
He said when he was in primary school, he remembered one candidate who was fielded by the ANC in Makana.
“We do not want to interrupt the academic careers of our young people and field them as councillors,” said Lungisa. — Additional reporting by Charissa Cassels and Sinovuyo Damane
Parties place faith in young guns to contest municipal poll
South Africa Africa’s fifth municipal elections will not only see an increase in the number of young people registered to vote, but also in the number of those standing for election.
More than 50 councillor candidates in the Buffalo City Metro (BCM) are younger than 25, according to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC).
The Democratic Alliance’s Mawethu Kosani is a 25-year-old student at the University of Fort Hare and is standing as a ward councillor candidate for Ward 10, which includes Sweetwaters.
Kosani said coming from King William’s Town, where youth development was not prioritised, he had made it his mission to advocate for youth development.
“I decided to avail myself so that the change I want to see could come through me.”
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has fielded a number of young people to stand as councillors.
The Daily Dispatch last week reported that the party was fielding one of the youngest candidates in the elections next month. Sisonke Jaca, 18, from Bhukazi village, Lusikisiki, is in Grade 9.
In the metro, the EFF is fielding Cikizwa Thuswa, 24, to contest Ward 13, which includes Reeston, Chicken Farm, Scenery Park and Eureka.
She said her mandate was to drive youth programmes that would ensure the advancement of all South Africans. “Young people are the future of this country. The work done today will be theirs to enjoy and to benefit from therefore it is crucial to involve them now.”
The Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) has also put its faith in a some young people.
The party has fielded Zukisani Nyewe, 24, for Ward 47, which includes the East London CBD, Quigney and parts of Southernwood.
Nyewe said the move by political parties to include the youth was long overdue.
“The inclusion of young people in local government will definitely ensure a balanced approach to the strategies aimed at developing the economy of the city.”
The ANC’s youngest councillor candidate is a 27-year-old.
ANC Youth League provincial spokesman Ayongezwa Lungisa accused the other parties of employing “public relations tactics”.
He said when he was in primary school, he remembered one candidate who was fielded by the ANC in Makana.
“We do not want to interrupt the academic careers of our young people and field them as councillors,” said Lungisa. — Additional reporting by Charissa Cassels and Sinovuyo Damane
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