The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) has called on young people across the country to take an active role in shaping their municipalities by registering to vote ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.
The appeal comes during Youth Month, as South Africa prepares for the national voter registration weekend scheduled for 20 and 21 June 2026. SALGA says this period is a key opportunity for eligible citizens to register for the first time or update their voting details in the areas where they live.
Through its Youth Commission, SALGA is intensifying mobilisation efforts amid growing concern over declining voter participation and increasing democratic disengagement among young people. These concerns are supported by recent Public Opinion Research conducted by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), which highlights widespread political apathy among unregistered voters.
According to the findings, 62% of unregistered citizens say they have no intention of registering to vote, while only 38% are open to doing so. Even more concerning, over 60% of young adults aged 18 to 34 who are not registered indicated they do not intend to register, potentially excluding millions of first-time voters from the electoral process.
The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has launched its 2026 election campaign under the slogan “Get Up, Show Up, Vote,” targeting young people as a critical group for strengthening democratic participation.
SALGA Youth Commission Chairperson, Lucky Sele, emphasised that local government decisions directly affect jobs, service delivery, and community development, warning that young people cannot afford to be absent from these processes.
As part of Youth Month activities, SALGA will roll out nationwide awareness campaigns, media engagements, and youth dialogues aimed at encouraging greater participation in local democracy and the upcoming elections.
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