African National Congress (ANC) first deputy secretary general Nomvula Mokonyane is optimistic that young people will turn up in their numbers to register to vote.

Mokonyane made the comments during the Online Voter Registration Drive in Hazyview, in Mpumalanga which was aimed at supporting the Independent Electoral Commission’s efforts to mobilise eligible citizens to vote.

The ANC has begun preparations for the 2024 national elections. Mokonyane, alongside Mpumalanga ANC leaders, led the campaign where netball and soccer tournaments were organised as part of encouraging young people to register to vote.

“As part of working towards the coming general elections, the ANC understands that you win elections by registering voters on the voter’s roll. What we are doing here in Hazyview is work that is going to be rolled out through the country. The target is the first-time voters, which is our young people. It is also a new way of reaching out to the youth by finding them where it excites them,” she said.

The youth response was positive as they expressed joy at being part of the voters’ roll, she said.

According to Ehlanzeni ANC Youth League regional secretary Kabelo Ndziyo, registering young people to vote meant a registration for the future of South Africa.

“This campaign brings excitement to us as the ANCYL as we prepare for our own conference this coming week, but after that our aim, as part of our programme as a region going forward, is to do door-to-door campaigns to ensure that all the eligible youth registers to vote. We will also be going into TVET colleges to make sure that no young person is left behind and that their voice is heard,” said Ndziyo.

He further assured that Mpumalanga would have an 89% to 90% voter turn-out from new voters and especially the youth in the 2024 elections.

“The ANC has done so much for our youth, hence we are confident that as they register to vote, they will vote no other party than the organisation that has been standing in the gap to ensure that the rights of the masses are covered and that the youth is empowered as the vital organs of our country,” Nziyo said.