DIVERSE BLOOD IN POLITICS

Sir,

From place to place, there is growing interest in youth and politics. Some governmental groups are changing to respond to the growing number of young people who want to add effect to the political system.

Political ideologies appealing to youth that were once considered ‘fringe’ beliefs are becoming mainstreamed, and more young people are correlating themselves with non-popular political parties. More young people are engaging in local community campaigns and other political activities. The youth can change the world through politics by becoming actively, meaningfully and substantially involved.

Advocating youth mainstreaming can sanction young people to change the world by creating new awareness, opportunities, policies, systems and cultures that foster youth engagement. In political parties, youth mainstreaming could allow the youth to affect democratic representation even in parties that would deny them the right to vote or become engaged.

Whatever age they are, young people can run an office anywhere in the world, make a stand; or to withdraw attention. Building momentum for single candidates requires they remain committed to the causes that will get them elected; pushing a political party or platform requires staunch youth champions in politics.

Fighting for youth suffrage and demanding youth rights is a platform for young voters. Young people can vote for a youth candidate who may be unfamiliar with the political system, but young and capable of sharing their voice. In order to become engaged in politics, in the most effective ways, young people can learn about political systems, political actions, political issues and other realities within and around the system. They can also conduct action learning oriented activities that allow them to gain credit for their involvement.

Training young people to change the world through politics simply means teaching them the skills they need to become involved. Never in history have children and youth been seen or treated as serious political actors or given the opportunity.  While formal barriers to entering national and local parliaments have been eliminated in virtually every country, this has been insufficient to address gender imbalances in governance even when political spaces and processes have opened up; the number of women in decision-making positions has not increased.

Look at Rwanda for example, women’s role in the transition to peace has paved a way for future generations of girls to assume public roles that would have been inconceivable a generation ago. My message today is that let the deep-rooted people in the world of politics leave or create a room for young people, let them experience the political world, let them bring fresh and alive ideas on empowering the nation. Allow them to analyse issues, deliberate with advisors and fellow lawmakers. 

Government has the ability to implement national youth employment strategies to demonstrate a shared vision, it can empower the youth as positive economic and political actors by integrating youth as stakeholders in decision-making processes.

Nkosing’phile NtshaliNtshali

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