Young people constitute a critical demography in SA. However, their influence on national politics remains limited. There is a sense that traditional politics and representative democracy fail to attract their attention despite young people having been at the forefront of bringing about a social and political transformation in pre- and post-democracy eras.
Yet in the past two decades, young people have been reduced to recipients of decisions rather than shapers of decisions.
The perceived feeling of exclusion has often led to young people seeking alternative means to express their frustration and dissatisfaction with the government and other forms of authority.
When frustration becomes unbearable, the youth often turn to civil disobedience in protests that sometimes turn violent.
It is critical that young people be included meaningfully in politics and political processes to foster longer-term societal stability and peace to advance the socioeconomic development of the nation.
Youth participation in formulating political decisions that influence national and regional development processes is a fundamental political and democratic right.
It is imperative that the active inclusion and involvement of young people in politics are not only about norms, values and rights but also about deepening democracy towards co-creating a society in which equality and social justice can be realised.
How can young people participate meaningfully in politics in SA in this new decade?
First, the government at all levels needs to recognise that young people aspire to their dreams through inclusive participation in all decision-making processes, from the conception and formulation of policies to their implementation.
Young people need platforms where they can influence policy decisions concerning their welfare and be given opportunities through which they can pursue their political and socioeconomic priorities, which may often differ from those of their older counterparts.
They need to be respected, embraced and engaged to forge meaningful partnerships in making those aspirations and priorities a reality.
Young people need platforms where they can influence policy decisions concerning their welfare and be given opportunities through which they can pursue their political and socioeconomic priorities, which may often differ from those of their older counterparts
Second, society and political parties must support young people's candidacies in elections. The number of young people serving as parliamentarians remains low. There is a need for collective support from civil society, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and political parties to facilitate the generational representation of youth candidates in the legislature.
They can do this through supporting youth candidacies in local, provincial and national elections.
They can provide those candidates with training in how to campaign successfully, the legal framework governing elections, rules and regulations of legislature, roles and responsibilities of parliamentarians, and more.
Training will enhance their candidacy and prepare them for the responsibilities if their political parties choose to deploy them in parliament.
In the same vein, political parties can work together to eliminate barriers that may hinder young people from reaching electable positions. Intra-party processes must be non-discriminatory so that young people can gain confidence to participate in the politics even of their own parties.
Third, leaders from civil society, business, political parties, labour, academia and other societal formations need to invest in young people through mentorship and coaching.
There is a dearth of mentorship and coaching. Most gifted young leaders grapple with transitions and leadership challenges on their own. It is mentorship that unleashes their potential. It is mentorship that helps them navigate the crisis of the moment while preparing for the changing world. Leadership never stops; neither should our commitment to its development and growth.
The time to invest in the next generation of leaders is now. Being a strong leader in a highly politically charged environment can be draining. It requires resilience, which would help a young leader to manage daily stresses while thriving in a competitive and challenging environment.
Mentors can play significant roles in preparing young people for politics and political leadership.
Fourth, civil society, in partnership with the IEC and political parties, needs to work harder in encouraging young people to vote.
Targeted democracy and voter education programmes are needed to increase young people's interests in politics and political affairs of the country. Such programmes will increase their knowledge about politics and deepen their commitment to democratic values and principles, which underpin their interest in politics.
The local government elections in 2021 will be a good test case for increasing the number of young leaders in our municipalities throughout the country. The time to prepare them is now.
The youth constituency in SA is too significant to remain on the margins of the democratic and political processes of the country.
With skilful guidance, mentorship and equipment through targeted civic and political training, their potential can be unleashed and thereby increase their more meaningful participation in politics.
Inclusive participation in politics and political decision-making must not be perceived as tokenism. It must be genuine and sincere in recognition of young people's values, aspirations, priorities and contribution as agents of transformation and leaders in their own right.
• Kariuki is the executive director of the Democracy Development Programme. He writes in his personal capacity
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