20 November 2023
The Young Communist League of South Africa (YCLSA) notes the update by the In- dependent Electoral Commission Chief Executive Officer Mr Simon Mamabolo on the open voter registration held in the past weekend of the 18th and 19th November 2023. We note that over 2,9 Million voters interfaced with the stations in this period and wel- come the fact that the Independent electoral commission will in due course announce another date for the final open registrations. We are particularly delighted by the fact that the youth with age range of 16-29years and women constitute over seventy per- cent and fifty percent respectively of those who went to stations or interfaced online.
We continue to urge South Africans of voting ages especially the youth and women to use other methods like visiting IEC offices, online or make use of the final open regis- tration weekend that is set to be announced to register or verify their voting stations details. The YCLSA is not surprised by these trends of registrations as they are rep- resentative of the proportions of both youth and women even on the composition of the South African population. Sadly, this is not the case with the composition of the public representatives in legislative house. This is more justification for a call for gen- erational mix. It is also disturbing to hear personalities of high social standing who are public figures by popular vote of the very electorate to arrogantly dismiss a call for youth representation in decision making platforms.
We have also noted with sheer disgust the sentiments shared by Mr Sello Malema calling for the SADTU members not to be absorbed as electoral staff. This he suggests that has a conflict of interest because the union is an affiliate of COSATU that is in alliance with the ANC. This is disgusting because we would have taken it for granted that Mr Malema as a Member of Parliament charged with law making will be familiar with the Labour relations Act that seeks to protect workers’ rights to freedom of asso- ciation.
Mr Malema embarrassingly so suggests but he fails to point out a single incidence where professionalism of his so called SADTU members has been impaired to jeop- ardize freeness and fairness of elections, when he should also know that the burden of proof lies with, he who alleges. Mr Malema must tell us if he has records of all members who subscribe to SADTU and explain how he acquired them. We view his comments in serious light, as populist and opportunist in that they seek to cast doubt on the credibility of the IEC already for his anticipated electoral defeat in the 2024 general and provincial elections. It is common cause that he has internal organiza- tional challenges with splinter groups emerging, with the members beginning to reject his dictatorial leadership style and their electoral fortunes fading by day.
Issued by YCLSA Headquarters: 110 Jorrison Street Braamfontein
For enquiries:
Dineo Sitole Majavu – National Spokesperson
Mobile: 073 994 1840
Dineo Mokoena – Media Liaison Mobile: 073 969 8532
