Youths in Nkulumane discuss voter apathy
Youths in Nkulumane on the 8th of October highlighted that there is low voter turnout from young people due to the fact that young people are politically disengaged.
This was said during a Roving Podcast at Sokusile Shopping Centre, which focused on Voter Apathy and Politically motivated Gender Based Violence. The Podcast sought to educate the community on the importance of registering to vote and the challenges that come with not registering to vote.
During the Podcast one of the facilitators Elliard Kupfuma who is a student from Lupane State University highlighted the various issues that make young people not to register to vote.
“Young People lack interest and zeal to partake in registering to vote, they do not know the importance of registering to vote,’’ said Elliard Kupfuma.
The Podcast was conducted by Women’s Institute for Leadership Development in partnership with Skyz Metro FM. Elliard elaborated that youths need to be empowered and have knowledge on issues pertaining registering to vote.
“The numbers for youths when it comes to registering to vote are very disturbing as compared to the numbers of the elderly thus youths need to be educated on voter registration,” said Elliard Kupfuma.
Another facilitator Rosslyn Mathuthu who is a community woman tackled issues concerning voter registration when it comes to women.
“Women lack adequate resources for campaigning hence this limits leadership amongst women as compared to men,” said Rosslyn Mathuthu.
She highlighted that women are often underestimated even by other women when they start a campaign. She noted that women are often viewed as inferior and unable to be political leaders yet women have a right to participate as leaders. She therefore encouraged women to actively seek opportunities to become leaders within their community and at a national level.
“If you do not vote Bulawayo is at a risk of losing 3 constituencies out of 12 constituencies,’’ said Sibongumusa Mpofu the radio presenter from Skyz Metro FM.