Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have intensified efforts to mobilise young people to register to vote.
The country is gearing towards the 2023 national elections and there are concerns that some provinces such as Bulawayo and Matabeleland South are at risk of losing some constituencies due to fewer registered voters.
In a bid to lure youths, CSOs have launched various campaigns.
Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITE) is running the ‘register to vote ubangene’ campaign which is targeting young people between the ages of 18-30 by giving them a free hair makeover coupon.
CITE programs manager, Abigail Khupe said the incentives are meant to encourage and motivate young people to register to vote.
“It is necessary to motivate young people to register to vote as we are approaching the delimitation process whereby Bulawayo can lose constituencies if the number of people registered is low,” said Khupe.
The Bulawayo Vendors and Trader Association (BVTA) is also offering free tickets to a musical show featuring South African Amapiano deejay Dbn Gogo which is set for the weekend.
“We are encouraging young people to register to vote as they constitute a larger chunk of the population and are critical for economic development,” said Kwanele Moyo, BVTA Information and Communications Officer.
She said they have realized that over the years young people have not been participating in public policy issues including electoral processes.
“They also have a right to vote because the future belongs to them,” said Moyo.
Meanwhile, Nomonde Sigawuke encouraged other young people to also register to vote.
“I just registered to vote, the process is very easy, it is very fast, it doesn’t take long. I want to encourage others as well to go and register to vote as well,” said Sigawuke.
“The reason I registered to vote is that I want to make a mark, I want to be part of the decision making in my Country. We have a lot of things that we want so we rather do it ourselves.”
A 29-year-old, Xolani Ndebele also added that the youths are always complaining hence the need for them to register to vote.
“As young people, we are always complaining that the other person should be elected over the other person but now I can vote since I have registered,” said Ndebele.
Nondumiso Ngwenya urged other young people to take the opportunity of the voter registration process to have a say in how the country is governed.
