By Thokozani Chilenga-Butao
Thokozani’s research focuses on whether decentralisation in South Africa is useful for the development and problem-solving capabilities of public administration. Her interests are decentralisation and federalism, and their roles in state formation generally; education governance; public administration; and public policy.
Thokozani says: “Voter registration statistics from national, provincial and local government elections consistently show that young people between the ages of 18-24/25 are not registering to vote in large numbers. The highest voter registration numbers start in the age group 25 upwards. Considering that in South Africa, youth is the age group 18-35, this shows that youth participation within this cohort depends on the age of youth and factors that might affect their affinity with political issues, i.e. family responsibilities.
“However, voter registration is not the only signifier of youth participation. We have seen an increase in the number of young people in parliament, for instance. What matters is whether or not the political system at large integrates and includes youth perspectives in politics and policymaking; and, finding out why people on the younger side of the youth spectrum are not participating as much as they could be.”
