We’re gradually approaching election time. It has been said that only 33% of the born-frees have registered to vote. Uncertainties on why to vote, who to vote for or what impact one is making in the country by voting might be the cause of this outcome. #LiveVIPZA went out to CPUT (Cape Peninsula University of Technology) in Cape Town to “interrogate” our youth about voting. We met up with two students from the school, a certain Nathi Mtini (19) – a to-be first-time voter, and Lutho Mhlontlo (26), both doing Human Resource Management. Lutho is also the chairperson of the SRC.

LIVE: Have you registered to vote?

Nathi Mtiti: Yes.

Lutho Mhlontlo: Yes

LIVE: Who will you be voting for in the upcoming elections?

NM: That question is still very sensitive because there’s a lot of things that have transpired politically. I feel in order for me to vote, a certain party has to earn my vote. I’m not willing to give people my vote if they don’t truly deserve it. That’s just my opinion.

LM: I’ll be voting for the ANC because I support their constitution, policy, and their manifesto that’s being represented to the nation. And the issues that concern the youth.

LIVE: Have you voted before?

NM: No.

LM: Yes.

LIVE: Do you think voting changes anything?

NM: Since I’ll be voting for the first time, my vote will surely contribute in terms of gaining power to a certain party. If I do vote, though, I don’t know what to expect for the future.

LM: Voting changes things. It puts a lot of pressure on the ruling party to do more for its citizens. When you vote you expect whoever you’re voting for to do what’s expected of them by the citizens.

#LiveVIPZA: Why do you think voting matters?

NM: Voting matters because you get to voice-out what you feel and who you think will do our country well. In essence, you get to choose which party you think represents you best.

LM: It’s practising democracy. You get to “decide” who you want to represent your beliefs, your philosophy and your values.

LIVE: What do you think about South African politics?

NM: [It’s] a mess!

LM: We are not under Apartheid anymore. I just think the government should have more programmes to attract the youth because, in most schools, there are few young people who are interested in politics. And politics [is] everywhere! Everything involves politics. I also think that a lot of our youth do not appreciate the fact that our forefathers fought for this democracy of ours. Well, they may appreciate it but they aren’t doing anything beyond that.

While on this, it would be nice if whoever wins these elections conducts themselves in a respectful manner and try to accommodate every culture/tribe instead of succumbing to tribalism. Be South African.

Interview by Mandy Mbekeni

Photos by Onele Liwani

Do you have some views of your own to share? Tell us. Tweet at #LiveVIPZA

The story of #Elections2014 continues.  Stick with #LiveVIPZA and we’ll give you analysis, debates, comments, polls and all you need to make it through the all-important task of VOTING during the 2014 elections.

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