Youth of Ntuzuma Debate Democracy and Discover the Power of Their Voice

On 22 May 2026, Ntuzuma A Hall transformed into a hub of civic energy as Activate! Change Drivers hosted a Civic Education and Youth Participation Dialogue and Debate Programme.

Supported by the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) and EmpowerU Community Development Institute, and joined by Yakamso and the South African Association of Youth Clubs (SAAY), an implementing partner in the National Youth Service Programme.The event invited young people aged 18–35 into a space where democracy was not just explained but lived, questioned, and claimed.

The aim of the programme was to strengthen civic education, encourage youth participation in democracy, and shift perceptions about voting by creating a space where young people could debate challenges, share experiences, and discover the importance of their voice.

Before the Programme Began

The day started with registration at the entrance of the hall, here IEC officials checked voting statuses and encouraged new registrations, linking the dialogue directly to civic action.

IEC officials explained their presence: “We want young people to see that participation starts here. Checking your status and registering is the first step in making your voice count.” Their message set the tone, reminding attendees that democracy begins with the simple act of registering to vote.

Even before the dialogue officially began, many attendees shared their expectations and frustrations. Some admitted they had never registered to vote because they felt it made no difference, while others pointed to unemployment and lack of opportunities as reasons for their doubt in democracy. A few expressed excitement, hoping the programme would help them understand how their vote could bring change. These early comments set the stage for a day of honest debate and reflection.

Breaking the Ice, Building the Space

Once registration was complete, participants moved into the hall where an interactive photo board helped break the ice, turning nervous smiles into laughter and easing participants into open conversation. These opening activities did more than entertain, they built a safe welcoming space that allowed young people to move confidently into deeper debates about democracy.

Voices of Change

Melusi Mahlaba, Activate Change Drivers’ Civic Champion, opened the programme with conviction he said:
 “Young people are the backbone of a country. It is of utmost importance that they know their voice matters in shaping and honing this nation. Lack of knowledge around voting systems leads to youth not taking it as seriously as they should.”

This was followed by key stakeholders address including the Representatives from Yakamso who explained their work in data collection, while the IEC official Thabile Mdluli reminded the audience of their power:
 “Young people must know their voice matters more than they think. Statistics show that young people do not vote and do not even register to vote. Voting is your right, and there cannot be substantial change without your vote.”

The hall soon filled with diverse perspectives. Luyanda Mkhize, 31, declared: “We vote for change, and as young people we wish to see more young people in places of decision-making.” Another participant added: “Voting is important because it gives people a chance to choose who represents them and their interests in parliament.”

Each participant received a t-shirt, which became a symbol of belonging and fuelled further engagement.

National Context

South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission has repeatedly highlighted the challenge of youth disengagement, noting that citizens under 35 make up the largest share of the population but the smallest share of registered voters. In the 2024 national elections, turnout among young people was significantly lower than older age groups, raising concerns about the future of democratic participation. Against this backdrop, the Ntuzuma dialogue was more than a local event, it was part of a national effort to reverse declining youth involvement and ensure that the country’s most populous generation sees itself as central to shaping South Africa’s future.

Debate That Dug Deep

After the opening speeches and stakeholder inputs, facilitators invited participants to move from listening into active engagement. The energy in the hall shifted as young people were divided into two groups, each tasked with tackling pressing questions about democracy and participation. This transition was intentional: organizers wanted the dialogue to move beyond speeches into a space where frustrations could be voiced and solutions debated openly.

The debate sessions revealed the real concerns facing young people in Ntuzuma. Split into two groups, participants tackled pressing questions:

• Does unemployment affect voter turnout?
• What challenges stop young people from voting?
• Why do many believe voting does not lead to real change?

The questions quickly highlighted the tension between frustration and hope. Some participants expressed disillusionment, pointing to unemployment and the lack of visible change as reasons for disengagement.

Phumlani Titi, 35, admitted: “The reason young people don’t vote is that they feel like there’s no change. I don’t really know if my vote counts.” His words reflected a broader sentiment of mistrust in the system.

Others pushed back, arguing that disengagement only worsens the problem. Kwanele Mahlaba, 26, countered: “Unemployment definitely affects voting. With such a high unemployment rate, we feel hopeless.” Yet he emphasized that hopelessness should not stop young people from exercising their right to vote.

Stakeholders observed the debate closely. An Activate Change Drivers Connector explained: “We design these debates to move beyond speeches. By letting young people argue, challenge, and reflect, they discover for themselves why participation matters.”

IEC officials added: “Dialogues like this help us understand the barriers to participation. We learn directly from young people why they hesitate, and that allows us to design outreach that speaks to their realities.”

By the end, consensus emerged: while unemployment and mistrust are real barriers, voting remains vital, and young people must be the change they seek. Participants agreed that change requires both casting a ballot and staying engaged in civic life, proving that democracy is strengthened when young people claim their role in shaping it.

Shifting Perspectives

As the debate drew to a close, facilitators emphasized the importance of turning discussion into action. EmpowerU’s Simphiwe Mdolo reinforced the message:
 “Your voice, a great South Africa, starts with you. Today is about resuscitating the importance of voting among young people.”

For many attendees, the impact was immediate. Samkelo Mkhize, 19, reflected: “I learnt that as young people we need to be the change we want to see. If voting changed the past, it could change the negatives we complain about today.”

Ayanda Khanyile, 19, added: “Today’s programme was an eye-opener. I had no idea my vote mattered. Thanks to Activate Change Drivers, from now on I will take voting seriously.”

Stakeholders noted that these shifts in attitude were the programme’s greatest success. Civic Champion Melusi Mahlaba concluded:
 “We measure impact not only by registrations but by the change in mindset. When young people leave believing their vote counts, that’s when democracy grows stronger.”

Planting Seeds for the Future

Closing the dialogue, Mahlaba reflected:
 “This programme was a success. We registered new voters and shifted perspective”

He announced a follow-up soccer tournament on 4 July, where participation will require voter registration, blending sport and civic duty to keep momentum alive. He explained that this approach was intentional: by linking popular youth activities with civic responsibility, the aim is to make voter education practical and engaging.

Mahlaba also explained why Ntuzuma was chosen: “We brought this programme here because Ntuzuma reflects national trends of low youth registration. By engaging directly with young people in this community, we can understand their barriers and show them how their voice connects to real change.”

A Cultural Awakening

As the day ended, Ntuzuma A Hall was no longer just a venue; it had become a seedbed of civic awakening. The laughter from the photo board, the heated debates, and the heartfelt reflections blended into a shared experience of empowerment.

Young people were left not only with t-shirts but with a renewed sense of agency. Stakeholders observed that this shift in energy was the true success of the programme: attitudes had changed, and the idea of voting was no longer distant or abstract.

The Ntuzuma dialogue showed that democracy is lived through conversation, debate, and courage. For these young participants, the day was more than debate; it was a cultural awakening, a step toward reclaiming their role in shaping South Africa’s future.