Young South Africans have encouraged their peers to take part in the 2026 Local Government Elections, describing voting as an opportunity to influence the country’s future and bring about change in their communities.
Speaking to SAnews at voting stations in Faerie Glen and Sunnyside, Pretoria, on Wednesday, several young voters said participating in the elections was both a democratic right and a responsibility.
They emphasised the importance of making informed choices and using their votes to ensure their concerns are represented.
Faerie Glen Voters Call for Youth Participation
Elzina Schulte, who cast her ballot at the Faerie Glen voting station, said voting gave young people an opportunity to influence the direction of South Africa.
She described participation in the elections as particularly important for the country’s youth, saying it allowed them to have a say in decisions affecting their future.
“I think it’s very important to vote as youth of South Africa. I believe we do have hope and voting means that we have a say in what our country and our future look like. So, I’m very grateful that we can do that today,” she said.
Werner Schulte, who also voted at the station, encouraged South Africans to exercise their democratic rights, noting that previous generations had fought for the freedom to vote.
He called on young people to stand together, make informed decisions and participate in shaping the country’s future.
“I also believe it’s our democratic right to come out and cast our vote. People fought for this freedom, so get out there [and vote]. We have hope in South Africa. Let’s restore South Africa and let’s make it a country worth fighting for,” he said.
He added that young people needed to remain united and make thoughtful choices at the polls.
Sunnyside Voter Says Ballot Offers Opportunity for Change
In Sunnyside, 28-year-old Larrayne Rangolo said voting gave her an opportunity to contribute to the changes she wanted to see in South Africa.
She urged other young people to participate, explaining that meaningful improvements might take time but that voting was an important step towards achieving them.
“If you don’t cast your vote, it’s the same as not wanting change. Casting my vote is actually a great opportunity for me to see the changes that I want happening out there, and hopefully they will happen by me casting my vote,” she said.
Rangolo said she hoped the changes being sought by young people would eventually contribute to a brighter future.
She also described her experience at the voting station as straightforward, saying officials were available to assist voters and explain the process.
“The process inside the voting centre was very simple for me. There is guidance, there are people helping you there. So, everything was simple and easy. You don’t have to stress at all,” she said.
Unemployment and Service Delivery Among Voters’ Concerns
Another Sunnyside voter, Hope Molokomme, said elections provided residents with an opportunity to raise concerns about issues affecting their communities.
She identified unemployment, limited opportunities and poor service delivery as some of the problems that needed attention.
Molokomme said residents who wanted their concerns to be heard needed to participate in the electoral process.
“We always complain about lack of opportunities and poor service delivery, and for us to be heard, for our voices to be heard, we need to make a move, do better and come and vote,” she said.
She encouraged registered voters who had not yet cast their ballots to visit their voting stations before the polls closed.
Those who had not registered were urged to make arrangements to participate in future elections.
“So, if you haven’t registered, it’s too late; do better next time, but if you have done so, please go out and make your mark,” she said.
Voting Continues Until 9pm Across South Africa
The 2026 Local Government Elections allow registered voters to choose the public representatives who will serve their communities and influence local service delivery.
Voting stations across South Africa are scheduled to remain open until 9pm on Wednesday, giving registered voters time to cast their ballots before the close of polling.
