Polokwane DA Ward candidate urges youth to use votes to demand better services

Service delivery and youth participation dominated the conversation in Ladanna, Polokwane, as Ward 23 DA candidate Jacques Joubert urged voters to use their ballots to shape the future of the city and the country.

Joubert said voting remains the most direct way for citizens to be heard and to hold elected leaders accountable for delivery.

"My reason for voting is that I have a voice, and my voice is through my ballot. So I'm voting for services, I'm voting for better service delivery," Joubert said.

He had a blunt message for those who have given up on elections, arguing that staying away only surrenders the chance to influence change.

"If you're not voting, you're part of the problem. It's as easy as that. Your vote is your voice. If you don't vote, you should rather stay quiet after the election," he said.

Joubert acknowledged that many South Africans feel voting changes nothing, but insisted participation, especially by young people, is essential to changing the direction of Polokwane and the country.

"The youth especially has an opportunity to change the situation, the trajectory of this country and this city," he said.

He encouraged eligible voters to take their identity documents and go to their voting stations.

Young voter Ntsako Maswanganye echoed that call, describing voting as a duty that comes with citizenship.

"I see voting as my responsibility as a young South African. I cannot expect things to improve if I don't take part in the democratic process," Maswanganye said.