THE Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) alongside with the Human Science Research Council (HSRC) has found that 81% of the youth in Mzansi are dissatisfied with how democracy is working.
This was revealed through a study conducted by the two entities IEC-HSRC to find reasons and solutions on the low voting turnout by young people of the country during elections.
The IEC held a research seminar to discuss the findings of a survey study conducted among voters to gauge their perceptions and intentions before the 2024 general elections.
The seminar, which also unpacked the findings on the declining participation of youth voters, was held in Joburg today, 6 December.
University of South Africa (Unisa) researcher Sanet Solomon revealed that while 81% of youth aren't happy with how democracy was working, only 3% were satisfied with its current functioning.
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He said this sparks the need to analyse institutional trust, as it affects and influences political behaviour.
Solomon said while youth apathy, in particular, is an international trend, it is very prevalent in the Mzansi contexts and this could be owed to a number of factors such as high unemployment levels, young people believe that there is a lack of accountability for political elites, perceptions on service delivery, as well as a distrust in the political system due to ongoing corruption.
He said it's believed that a lack of accountability and continued corruption detracts from government’s ability to provide access to basic services.
“A 2020 study suggests that 80% of the youth believe that corruption hampers their employment prospects, and these challenges are worth noting,” said Solomon.
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He said the study found that only 4% of youth were satisfied with the current political leadership, indicating a need for substantial improvements. Many youths believe that voting is pointless because political parties are perceived as being similar, and 47% find it challenging to identify a party that represents their interests.
The study notes the necessity for political parties to address internal power struggles and explore coalition opportunities to attract younger voters.
The findings highlight the urgency of creating meaningful changes in the political landscape to engage and satisfy Mzansi's youth.
