Youth unemployment is changing how young people vote

Updated June 18, 2026, 2:45 a.m. | By Carol Ofori

Ahead of the Local Government Elections, Carol Ofori speaks to two young leaders about unemployment, frustration and whether voting still matters to the youth.

Nosipho Memela and Okuhle Gwala — Photo illustration: Supplied

In this Youth Day conversation, Carol Ofori speaks to Okuhle Gwala, a skills development facilitator at the Umgeni Unemployment Graduates Forum, and Nosipho Memela, an agricultural management honours graduate, peer educator and youth advocate.

Their views are shaped by what they see every day.

Nosipho says unemployment has become more than an economic issue. She shares that many young people continue studying because it feels more hopeful than staying at home, only to find that opportunities are still out of reach. That disappointment, she says, is affecting how young people think about voting.

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But she believes stepping back is not the answer. For her, participation starts with choosing leaders whose promises speak to real community needs.

Okuhle agrees that frustration is growing, but argues that many young people have not lost belief in democracy. They have lost confidence that leadership understands their reality. Even so, he believes voting remains one of the few ways young people can shape change.

The conversation is honest and thought-provoking, raising questions about unemployment, trust and what participation looks like for a new generation.

Listen to the full conversation at the top of this article or directly below.