/ 20 October 2013

ANCYL, Sasco concerned over low percentage of youth voters

A report has argued for an increase in the minimum time for degree and diploma programmes.
A report has argued for an increase in the minimum time for degree and diploma programmes.

A low percentage of people between the ages of 18 and 35 have registered for the forthcoming general elections, the Progressive Youth Alliance (PYA) said on Sunday.

"We will be embarking on 21 days of action from October 21 until November 10 to get young people to apply for their identity documents," said ANC Youth League spokesperson Bandile Masuku.

Masuku's statement came after a press conference in Johannesburg hosted by the Young Communist League, the South African Students Congress (Sasco) and the ANC Youth League.

"We will go to schools, universities, work places, churches and car washes to ensure that young people register to vote," said Masuku.

Masuku said the PYA would be spreading its net wide, calling young people to exercise their constitutional right as citizens.

Support displayed by students
The PYA had witnessed the overwhelming support displayed by students at universities during the Students' Representative Council elections.

"We maintained all the campuses where PYA was governing and reclaimed campuses such as the Nelson Mandela Metro University, University of Free State and many others," he said.

PYA is made up of ANCYL, the Young Communist League of South Africa, Sasco and the Congress of South African Students.

"We can reach more than nine-million young people and encourage them to register and vote next year," said Masuku. – Sapa