OPEN LETTER TO YOUTH: BORN FREE – NOW WHAT?

As a fellow Afrillennial it is without a doubt known that we as the future of our country notoriously reject the importance of voting, some due to a lack of voter education whilst others are simply ignorant.

As a result, we often miss valuable opportunities to have a say, share our perspective and shape our future.

Voting provides one the opportunity to promote change, it provides a platform for individuals to actively participate in a change making process yet we choose to remain disillusioned by ignorance, believing voting has no direct impact on our lives and the issues we as the youth face.

I often fail to understand this misconception, as I believe voting is the first step towards inspiring change. How can we complain about issues that affect us if we have neglected to partake in an activity that democratically allows us to lend our voice and share our opinion by choosing a candidate that best represent our needs?

We expect our needs to be met, concerns to be acknowledged and perspective to be shared whilst we sit idle and allow others to make political decisions on our behalf, failing to realize that no one is going to vote in the interest of the youth except the youth themselves.

We as the youth are yielding the ultimate power to make decisions on things that directly affect us, we are an incredible, diverse group of individuals with the ability to form a collective union and challenge previous limitations, so why not speak up and become actively involved in a process that has the ability to promote healthy change. It is our democratic and fundamental right.

Countries like Syria and the DR Congo don’t have democratic and political institutions in place. Citizens are denied the right to exercise their political view and have a say.

We are so fortunate as South Africans, more so as a Born free, to live in a country that has fought so hard for us to be given the simple opinion of choice. It is an absolute insult towards those who have fought for this freedom to not exercise this right given to us.

Now more than ever it is essential that we as the youth take advantage of our right to vote in order to create a future that aligns with our fundamental beliefs and sets a precedent for future generations.

Voting allows us the privilege to make a statement that our opinions matter, let us not be ignorant and believe our vote does not.

We have demonstrated that collectively we are a political force to be reckoned with thus let us participate in our first and most important contribution as a citizen towards an engaged and equal democracy.

You are aware, that we have different needs and expectations in comparison to previous generations, these needs and concerns require new thinking and a new outcome. Partaking in the upcoming election allows us to actively be a part of a long term solution with regards to issues that directly affect us.

As we approach the Mandela Centenary I urge you to remember and reignite the same courageous spirit within you to make a positive change.

Use the freedom of choice you have been given and choose wisely; choose to be educated on voter education, access available resources, know your candidates, become involved and register to vote in the upcoming election

Let us take steps in the right direction.

Let us be the change we want to see;

We are the future, be educated, get involved and stay woke.

Written by- Naseeba Hoosen.