IN CONVERSATION WITH MS IRIS DLAMINI
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The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) is intensifying its national efforts to engage young people in the country’s democratic processes. As part of this broader campaign, the IEC will host a major youth seminar in KwaZulu-Natal on Thursday, 4 December 2025, under the theme: “Digital Democracy: Leveraging Digital Technology to Promote Youth Participation.”
The initiative comes at a critical time. Youth participation in elections remains one of South Africa’s most pressing democratic challenges. Despite young people making up the largest demographic in the country, voter turnout among South Africans aged 18–29 continues to be significantly lower compared to older age groups. The rapid growth of digital platforms, social media engagement, and online political discourse has created new opportunities — but also new barriers — when it comes to mobilising young voters.
The IEC’s upcoming seminar aims to bridge this gap by creating a high-level platform where youth leaders from political organisations, tertiary institutions, civic groups, the business sector, and the tech innovation space can come together to explore practical solutions. The focus is on understanding how digital tools and technology can be used to strengthen civic literacy, expand outreach, and inspire consistent youth participation in democratic processes.
The seminar forms part of the IEC’s nationwide youth-engagement drive, which seeks to equip young South Africans with the necessary information, skills, and platforms for meaningful involvement in elections. The conversations are expected to cover topics such as online voter education, digital mobilisation strategies, misinformation challenges, accessible digital platforms, and new ways of reaching first-time voters using technology.
The event will take place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban from 09:30 to 13:00, and will bring together youth representatives, digital innovators, and stakeholders who have a shared interest in strengthening South Africa’s democratic future.
As the country prepares for future electoral cycles, the IEC’s youth-focused engagement strategies seek to address long-standing concerns around youth apathy, mistrust in political institutions, and structural barriers to participation — while leveraging the power of technology as a tool for accessible democracy.
The initiative comes at a critical time. Youth participation in elections remains one of South Africa’s most pressing democratic challenges. Despite young people making up the largest demographic in the country, voter turnout among South Africans aged 18–29 continues to be significantly lower compared to older age groups. The rapid growth of digital platforms, social media engagement, and online political discourse has created new opportunities — but also new barriers — when it comes to mobilising young voters.
The IEC’s upcoming seminar aims to bridge this gap by creating a high-level platform where youth leaders from political organisations, tertiary institutions, civic groups, the business sector, and the tech innovation space can come together to explore practical solutions. The focus is on understanding how digital tools and technology can be used to strengthen civic literacy, expand outreach, and inspire consistent youth participation in democratic processes.
The seminar forms part of the IEC’s nationwide youth-engagement drive, which seeks to equip young South Africans with the necessary information, skills, and platforms for meaningful involvement in elections. The conversations are expected to cover topics such as online voter education, digital mobilisation strategies, misinformation challenges, accessible digital platforms, and new ways of reaching first-time voters using technology.
The event will take place at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban from 09:30 to 13:00, and will bring together youth representatives, digital innovators, and stakeholders who have a shared interest in strengthening South Africa’s democratic future.
As the country prepares for future electoral cycles, the IEC’s youth-focused engagement strategies seek to address long-standing concerns around youth apathy, mistrust in political institutions, and structural barriers to participation — while leveraging the power of technology as a tool for accessible democracy.
