SABC Education partnership to promote democracy through voting

The SABC Education department and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) have partnered with the Department of Higher Education Institutions (DOHEI) to continue educating and promoting issues around democracy and voting. In the form of university road shows, the partners hope to mobilize students into participating in Student Representative Council (SRC) elections and student leadership.

The road shows, with dynamic appeal to young people will include various youth discussions, entertainment by HHP, Slikour, Sugarsmakx, L’vovo and local artists in the regions. First stop is the Bellville campus at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology on 6 October. Second stop is the Kwadlangezwa campus at the University of Zululand on 13 October and then Soshanguve campus at the Tshwane University of Technology on 20 October. The television show Shift will broadcast live on 6 October at Bellville campus between 13h00 and 14h00.

In promoting electoral and participatory democracy, the partners want to help improve the management of SRC elections across 23 public higher education institutions in the country. This includes marketing the SRC elections to improve voter turnout, encourage young women students to run for leadership positions and ensure free and fair SRC elections. The IEC is offering quality support and training for SRC elections through the provision of technical and advisory assistance and materials such as unmarked ballot boxes.

The road shows emanate from challenges the universities face, including but not limited to:

· Academic and financial exclusions
· Rife political intolerance and public violence
· Decline in student activism and reluctance to participate in student leadership
· Insufficient provision of skills and capacity for student leadership to effectively support students
· Lack of women participation in student politics
· Mistrust of the SRC by students (students not working through the SRC)
· No-go areas for rival groups on campus and at residences
· Participation in policy formulation is on ad-hoc basis
· Poor relations with council and management
· Poor standard infrastructure, facilities and inefficiency of student services
· Rapidly erupting strikes and demonstrations that turn violent
· Students must play dual roles as leaders and also excel academically
· Students must leave their rooms for fear of being attacked

For further details contact Surekha Singh – Commissioning Editor, SABC Education - Public Information and Social Development at Tel: 011 714 6863 or Cell: 083 783 3314 or e-mail at socialmedia@sabc.co.za.