Nearly a third of South Africa’s population is made up of young people, and involving this age group in municipal decision-making processes is crucial to creating an inclusive society where everyone’s voice is heard.
Voter participation in local government elections remains stubbornly low, especially among young people. Just under half (12 million) of the 26.6 million registered voters turned out for the local government elections in 2021. Additionally, nearly 1.8 million eligible voters aged 18 to 19 did not register to vote.
Political parties themselves could potentially increase youth voter turnout by fielding more young women and men on their candidate lists for municipal elections, increasing the proportion of youth on local councils.
Following the 2021 municipal elections, 2969 of the 9473 elected councillors were between the ages of 20 and 39, with the youngest councillor elected at the age of 20 in Merafong municipal council in Gauteng.
Young people will be able to feel more connected to their locally elected representatives thanks to this.
In light of this, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) celebrates the youth of this nation and commits to providing young people with opportunities to get involved in local affairs and shape the future of their communities.
SALGA National Working Groups
SALGA will convene a gathering of its National Working Groups from June 6–14. The working groups serve as the organization’s primary forum for communication and coordination between the national, provincial structures and member municipalities of SALGA as well as its policy and strategic engine.
National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting
The highest decision-making body for SALGA will meet on June 21 and 22 to discuss significant municipal issues, policy priorities, and program issues.
Commemorative events
• National Environment Month is celebrated in June, with the South African government and captains of industry leading the way by stimulating awareness on environmental issues and challenging all to become agents for change. World Environment Day on 5 June aims to galvanize positive environmental action.
• The purpose of International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression on June 4 is to acknowledge the pain suffered by children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse. This day affirms the UN’s commitment to protect the rights of children.
• The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) happens each year on June 15th.It represents the one day in the year when the whole world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted on some of our older generations.
• Youth Day on June 16 commemorates the Soweto youth uprising of 16 June 1976. The June 16, 1976, Uprising that began in Soweto and spread countrywide profoundly changed the socio-political landscape in South Africa. Events that triggered the uprising can be traced back to policies of the Apartheid government that resulted in the introduction of the Bantu Education Act in 1953.
• World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought, 17 June, aims to promote community and ecosystem resilience while improving the human condition, particularly in dry lands. The decade 2010–2020 has been declared the United Nations Decade for Deserts and the Fight against Desertification (UNDDD).
• World Refugee Day is held every year on 20 June. It is a special day when the world takes time to recognize the resilience of forcibly displaced people throughout the world.
• Africa Public Service Day on 23 June aims to discover innovations, reward excellence in the public sector, motivate public servants to further promote innovation, enhance professionalism in the public service, raise the image of public service, enhance trust in government, collect, document and share best practices for possible replication within a country as well as across the African Continent.
Follow hashtag.
#InspiringServiceDelivery, #Kasi2Kasi, #Asisho! #LetsSayIt,
#LocalGovTodayEveryday and look out for more activities on the SALGA
Website: www.salga.org.za and all our social media platforms including:
Facebook: South African Local Government Association (SALGA)
Twitter: @SALGA_Gov
YouTube: SALGA TV
Instagram: salga.org.za
