1. Voting is an essential part of any modern democracy. In South Africa this is entrenched in our constitution. In 2014, South Africans will once again be given the opportunity to vote in national and provincial elections.

2. The generation born during the period 1994 to 1996 – most of whom are still at school – will have their first opportunity to cast their votes in the election of a democratic government when the national and provincial elections are contested in May 2014. According to the 2011 Census data, there are approximately 2,8 million South Africans in the 18 to 19 age group, but, unfortunately, only 9.9% are registered voters. To remedy this underrepresentation of youth on the voters roll, a focus on registering the youth is needed.

3. The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has requested assistance from the Western Cape Education Department in registering eligible learners as voters during a designated time. The IEC will be visiting schools during the period 14 to 18 October 2013 to conduct voter education programmes and to register eligible learners. The focus for registrations will be on Grades 10 to 12. The IEC will provide educational material, Becoming a good citizen: Electoral Democracy Toolkit for teachers Grade 10 – 12.

4. The IEC will also distribute material to be used from Grade R to 9, Not too Young: Teaching Electoral Democracy to Young South Africans.

5. School principals and SMTs are kindly requested to assist with this process by

  • appointing a team of teachers and learners to manage this process and liaise with IEC officials (You may appoint RCL members to this team.);
  • identifying learners who are eligible to vote and ensuring that they register;
  • encouraging and motivating learners to register, using assemblies, announcements, letters to parents, and internal and external notices; and
  • allowing accredited IEC officials access to the school to conduct voter education and registration.
6. Please bring the content of this minute to the attention to all concerned.


SIGNED: J H LYNERS
DEPUTY DIRECTOR-GENERAL: INSTITUTION DEVELOPMENT & CO-ORDINATION
DATE: 2013:09:27