THEY DON’T CARE
The menace of voter apathy prevalent among youth
Like the rest of the nation, the youth in Botswana have been lackadaisical at best and apathetic at worst when it comes to political participation. This is according to a joint national study by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the Democracy Report Project (DRP) in 2021 which found that voter apathy is real in Botswana.
According to the report, since the first election in 1965 there has been a marked decline in political participation in this country with some of the youth and reluctant adults, suggesting that they will disengage from political participation as long as they are without jobs.
Tragically for democracy, the voter apathy especially the conundrum among the reluctant cohort, has had very little to no influence in the political life of the country’s youth who are touted as the future leaders of the country.
Experts contend that voter apathy should never be an option because it entails the shirking of a critical responsibility in the political life of the country, that is, voting.
The involvement of the youth in the political life of their country including their participation in activities such as political mobilisation which exposes the youth to civil engagement that also goes beyond politics, is critical for the political development of a country.
Involvement in politics by the youth gives them a role in the political life of not only their community but the country at large.
Experts say instead of opting for disengagement
from politics, the youth should be politically engaged including contesting the elections. Political commentators insist that for the youth to both know their rights and also fully understand their responsibilities as citizens, they must not only be adequately represented in leadership positions in the decision-making structures of their political parties, they must also have the necessary knowledge and capacity to strategically participate in a meaningful way at all levels of society. The inclusion of the youth in the political life of any country, is not only beneficial to the country in the
short-term, but also provides the basis for a strong political engagement in the future.
Experts also point out that political participation is not only a fundamental democratic right but a service to the nation. Many youths tend to disengage because, since they are “not taken seriously,” their voices will not adequately be heard. Tragically, this in turn leads to young people being increasingly excluded from taking part in the decision-making processes of the country.
To make a difference, in the longer term, it is essential that young people, are engaged in formal political processes and given a say in the formulation of today’s and tomorrow’s politics.
It is important for the youth to realise that they are not the leaders of only tomorrow but are leaders of today as well. “It is always important for us as the youth to make the right decision at the right time both for ourselves and for the country as the future leaders. I started my political life when I joined the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) back in 2011. “I was the campaign manager for Zibanani Benfield when she won Botsalano ward in 2014. In the process of working with her and the rest of her team, I grew politically hence my decision to contest the primary elections with the view to contesting the ward this year,” 29-year-old Uyapo Tshambani said. Popularly known as Pablo by his horde of supporters in the Botsalano ward, Tshambani’s vision is to one day have a platform on which he can mobilise the youth especially politically. “My view is that for the country to go forward, the youth from all walks of life and political orientation, should stand up and be counted. One of my visions among the youth is to inspire them politically,” the aspiring BDP candidate said. According to another first timer in the ward, Gaamangwe Huffy Kanego, 44, the youth, from all political parties need activist leaders who will galvanise them into action. “The youth need an activist political leader, especially one, who also knows something about community mobilisation and is ready to work with the other stakeholders to empower the youth so that they are creative,” said Kanego, whose goal is to help empower especially the youth.