We live in the age of socio-political movements spread through digital platforms and applications like posts and tweets. We have figureheads like Beyonce calling us to attention and have registering to vote made easier to do through online portals. However, as a student, I have seen many individuals my age shrug off the chance to vote both in formal and informal political spaces. On campus, many student leaders implore others to vote in school council elections, explaining the importance of using their votes to raise their voices. Upon questioning peers as to why they do not vote or engage in politics, there were two main factors for this.

While the pessimistic view of systemic corruption is one of the main factors for youth not engaging in elections upon voting age, others feel that the word “politics” does not resonate with them because it is presumed to be a battleground that adults venture into and fight in. I only began to take note of how important activism and agency were when I turned 15. Up until then, I believed it all had to do with popularity and a far-off concept with no connection to me. But when I heard my grade 9 history teacher, a proud and passionate coloured man, describe his experience of that joyous day in April 1994, my eyes began to open. He had volunteered to help run the voting stations that day and stated that when he had to ask voters to wait a little longer as things were running a bit behind, he remembered an older-coloured gentleman saying, “No, don’t worry. We’ve been waiting years for this; we aren’t going anywhere!”

Today, in South Africa, the youth make up the largest voting bloc. Statistics show that out of the 25 944 016 individuals who registered to vote this year, 40.76% are youth. However, the youth also make up the largest group of individuals in the country who do not vote. In 2019, researchers noted a drop in votes to below 50%, which has not been seen since the 1994 elections. This threatens the enduring promise of democracy, a legacy hard-won by our parents. Understanding the importance of engaging in politics is crucial to shaping our society.

However, agency and activism are not defined by age and qualifications but rather by action and intent. Politics and political education do not need to be understood through great actions and events such as mass protests and national elections. Instead, it can start with the understanding that everyday decisions can help bring about change. Activist Edward Keenan Jacobs confirms this much when reflecting on his strides to help educate and empower youth by helping them see the value in politics through his work.

Jacobs has worked at several organisations to help teach youth about human rights and is no stranger to small actions helping bring about greater change. An experienced mentor and activist, Jacobs has worked with young people in South Africa and as a research assistant at the Safety and Violence Initiative for over a decade. He was also the Advocacy and Empowerment Lead at Justice Desk Africa until joining the Mandela Rhodes Foundation in 2023 after being one of its scholars in 2021.

To Jacobs, the ability to act independently, make free choices, and mould one’s future is what defines agency. He has demonstrated this practice in the iNtsika yeThemba Project, a Justice Desk South Africa project that aims to reduce gender-based violence among young boys aged 13 to 18. The project teaches adolescents about agency, activism, and politics at their level, addressing important issues. Jacobs describes his work and passion as making politics interesting and relevant to young people. For him, activism entails becoming aware of social, economic, and political issues and contributing to their resolution by protesting blogging or social media. He feels that raising awareness, teaching young people about their agency and the potential to exercise it in many ways, and creating chances for them to contribute to their passions are crucial. This would arguably help them shape their and this country’s future.

Question: How will you help shape this country’s future through everyday actions?

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