Claiming our space in the front benches of Parliament

Fellow democrats. ‘Youth month’ is done and dusted. Young people from all walks of life had the opportunity to partake in robust debates during various Youth Parliament sittings, and I sincerely hope that Parliament will make it a high priority to implement the resolutions adopted.

However, as we move onto other months of national significance such as women’s month, HIV/Aids month and the like, it is imperative to continue with our efforts to engage the youth of South Africa year-round.

Voter turnout amongst the youth proved that we are not as apathetic as some people think. When engaging with fellow young people, it is clear that many of us, despite popular opinion, have a clear vision for South Africa and our role within it. This vision ranges from a robust democracy where all people, including youth, exercise their right to select those who should speak and act on their behalf and hold them accountable, to a country where young people have an equal opportunity to make a sustainable livelihood.

One of the most frequent comments that arise when asking young people about their visions, and more specifically, how to achieve them, is that young people want an equal opportunity to participate in their development. This then raises the question as to why young people are being excluded?

There are three frequently cited reasons:

• 1) Young people are perceived as lacking the requisite skills and qualities.
• 2) Young people are not afforded the opportunity to share power with adults.
• 3) Young people are portrayed as lacking the motivation and skills needed to become part of the political process.

One of my friends made a bold statement in saying that the very idea of youth involvement – young people participating as equals – is a stretch for many adults. The irony is, however, that once at the table, young people are often viewed as a threat to adult power. Rather than work with young people to build skills, adults abdicate power or work to control it.

One of the more frequently used justifications for excluding young people is the entrenched myth of youth apathy – young people are frequently portrayed as lacking motivation to become involved. This myth is captured most aptly in the media hype about Generation X syndrome which describes young people as a socially inert, self-absorbed group with little or no interest in the political process.

However, recent polls reveal that young people are far from apathetic. Upwards of 70% of new registrations for the last two elections were among people below 30.

It would be a grave mistake to assume that youth do not participate in political process at all. There are innumerable activities that seek to mobilize young people politically in neighbourhoods and cities across the nation – activities initiated by young people and some initiated and supported by adults committed to youth empowerment. In the last year, the DA Youth alone has led scores of young people on marches, run petitions and engaged with national ministers around issues affecting us.

We as young people must not allow ourselves to be labelled ‘apathetic’ or brought to parliament only in June of each year and relegated to the back benches in between. But by the same token we cannot wait for the invitation to partake. Our lives will only improve if WE take the lead in addressing the challenges that face us. We need to ensure that our education system produces quality young men and women that can contribute to growing this economy. We must be a generation that places educating ourselves and the next generation at the centre of our beings. We should not look to the state to create jobs; we must be the creators of jobs for ourselves and others.

In the DA there are myriad opportunities to participate for young people who wish to influence the direction of South Africa, as is evidenced by the numerous young people who serve the party as councillors, MPL’s and MP’s alongside seasoned counterparts. The party’s National Spokesperson, Lindiwe Mazibuko, leads the charge at just 31.

As a young person, I accept the challenge before us. I urge you to join me in standing up and claiming our rightful place in South African decision making. Lets prove that WE will be the generation to lead South Africa to her greatest prosperity yet.

Makashule Gana
FederalDA Youth  Leader