Botlhale Insights: Why I’ll Still Be Voting

I was just eighteen years old when my parents woke me up to go and register to vote. It was the urgency on my mothers face that stirred something inside of me. There was no negotiation, no sympathy and no excuse. My parents believed that it was time for me to become an active citizen. 

At eighteen, with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty, we headed to my former local primary school to register. When we arrived, I noticed that very few of my peers were there. Instead the queues were filled with elderly citizens who had come to exercise a right many had fought hard to secure. When my turn finally came, I handed over my green ID book. In that moment, I  officially became a registered voter.

On our way home, my mothers lectures began about which political party I should support. Like many young people, my understanding of politics had already been shaped by my family and community. Growing up, the African National Congress was often spoken about as our political home. There was even a standing joke in my family that one day I would work for the political party. Looking back, I  realise that although it was said in jest, it planted the first political seed in me. 

Politics was never a distant subject in our household. It was part of everyday conversation because history lived within our family. The forced removals carried out under the Group Areas Act during apartheid directly affected my fathers family, as this did countless others across South Africa. Those experiences taught me that history should never be forgotten and that every generation has a responsibility to understand the sacrifices that came before it.  

Being politically conscious and socially aware shaped my worldview from an early age. Voting was never presented to me as a once-off event or merely a constitutional right. It was a responsibility–a way of contributing my voice to the future of my community. 

Today, I understand that democracy cannot rest solely on elected officials. It also depends on citizens who are willing to participate, ask questions and hold leaders accountable. Public participation is a two-way street. While the government has a responsibility to govern effectively, citizens also have a responsibility to engage in the democratic processes that shape their communities. 

I also understand why many young people have become disillusioned. High levels of youth unemployment, poor service delivery and years of broken promises have caused many to question whether their vote still matters. Those frustrations are real and should never be dismissed. Yet choosing not to participate also means surrendering our voice in shaping the communities we hope to build.

This is why youth civic participation must become a national priority. We need families, schools, communities and civic organisations to encourage young people to become actively involved in local matters. Young people are among those most affected by unemployment, inequality and poor service delivery. Their voices, ideas and innovation are essential to building responsive and accountable local government. 

As South Africa prepares for the upcoming local government elections, I hope more young people choose to register, vote and participate in shaping the future of their communities.   

Civic participation is not simply about electing leaders; it is about helping build the society we want to live in.

 As for me, I am still  searching for a political home that reflects the values I believe in. But one thing has not changed since I was eighteen years old: I will continue to vote because I believe participation remains one of the most powerful ways we can shape the future of our communities. 

If you have not yet registered to vote, you can register here: https://www.elections.org.za/pw/voter/Voter-Information 

Phiwe Mncwabe is a Communications & Public Engagement Writer, Pan-African storyteller, and Founder of Botlhale Hub Afrika. She writes on governance, leadership, public policy and African affairs through research- informed storytelling that encourages thoughtful public dialogue. 

More stories–https://botlhaleafrika.co.za/ 

Instagram– Phiwe_ Mncwabe

Tik Tok- PhiweMncwabe 

Twitter– Phiwe_ Mncwabe_ 

LinkedIn– Phiwe Mncwabe

No Facebook account

I am not affiliated to any political party. I am affiliated to the Africans. 

The views that  I share are mine and not affiliated to any employer. These views are not meant to bring harm.

Let’s talk about Africa. Which African country must I visit next? 

Read Africa. Write about Africa. Put Africa first!