As South Africa prepares for Wednesday’s local government elections, young Durban residents explain why they are eager to vote, missed registration or remain unconvinced that elections will improve their lives.
According to the Independent Electoral Commission, 694 882 young South Africans, aged 18 to 19, are registered to vote.
Bréanca Moodley, 18, of Glenwood, said she did not know she had to register to vote until a conversation with her parents, and by then it was too late.
She turned 18 on July 28 and missed the August registration weekend.
"My parents and I were speaking about the elections and the economic state of the country when we realised I could now vote but it was too late. I only wish I had registered to be part of changes in the country through these elections,” said Bréanca, a matric pupil.
“My parents usually vote at Glenwood Preparatory and I have been accompanying them to the voting station since I was little. It may seem cliché but I always wanted to make a difference, as at times in South Africa things may be a little offside.
“I have always been the type of person to speak out rather than stand by. I may be considered young, but I have seen how this country has failed me in many ways. I thought my vote could change that, especially with the health system, because it has personally affected my family and myself.”
“If you’re unsatisfied with the political state, make your mark and witness the positive changes it brings."
Miguel Green, 18, of Newlands East, is looking forward to voting.
“It feels pretty huge to finally get a real say instead of just watching from the sidelines,” said Miguel, a first-year Bachelor of Commerce student at UKZN.
"Up until now, my friends and I used to sit around and complain about load shedding, water cuts, and broken roads. But voting changed all of that. It takes me from being a bystander to an active participant who can actually demand accountability.
"At the end of the day, the decisions made now about local infrastructure, jobs, and safety will impact my generation the most. So why wouldn't I want a seat at the table? People always try to claim that one single vote doesn’t change a thing, but local elections get decided by tiny margins all the time. My vote matters, and I’m definitely using it.”
Miguel said his outlook on voting had changed over the years.
"Growing up, politics felt like something adults argued about on TV. It felt completely disconnected from my actual daily life. But as I got older, finished school, and started trying to figure out my own future, I've realised that ignoring the issues doesn't make them vanish.
“Watching how things like constant load shedding and the lack of job opportunities directly stressed out my friends and family was the real turning point for me.
"I woke up and realised that if my generation wants things to look different, we can't wait for someone else to fix it. We have to step up ourselves. I may not have always wanted to be this change, but I’m fully ready to be a part of it now.
"The youth literally have the numbers to completely flip the script on any election, especially the municipal ones. The issue in the past wasn't that we lacked the power to make a difference; it was just that too many of us stayed at home because we felt completely discouraged and unheard.
"But the second the youth actually decide to show up and stick together, politicians have absolutely no choice but to listen to us. We aren't just the future of this country; we are the present, and we definitely have the power to shake things up."
Muhammed Zhulfikaar Baboolall, 18, of Verulam, said he also looked forward to voting, so he could contribute to making his community a better place.
"My vote gives me a voice in choosing leaders who can improve our community and shape a better future for everyone,” said Baboolall, a dispatcher at a fabric company.
“Youth votes and our voices matter. If we want to see change in our country, we must be willing to take part in making that change. We cannot complain about the future if we are not willing to help shape it. Our future is in our hands, so let us use our voices wisely and vote for a better tomorrow."
Meanwhile, an 18-year-old from Phoenix, who declined to be named, said he refused to vote as the “county doesn't care about us”.
“So why care about something that does not give back? People have been voting for 30 years, and our government is still corrupt. What will my one vote do?
"The government does not care about the people; they only care about their own benefits. When a political group comes into power, their power goes up, money goes up, and status goes up. They control the country and the decisions made. If it doesn't benefit them, they don't consider it. They only take the initiative when it benefits them."
The youth, who works for a supermarket retailer, said he was saving to build his future.