Campaign Encourages Students to Register to Vote

Your vote counts.

This was the message to the hundreds of students who attended the Tertiary Institutions Campaign (TIC) Provincial Launch at the Bellville Campus recently.

The initiative by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) in the Western Cape marked the official kick-off of the IEC’s campus voter education and registration campaign as it prepares for the 2026 Local Government Elections

Attendees included the CPUT Student Representative Council (SRC), SRC representatives from the University of Cape Town, University of the Western Cape and Stellenbosch University as well as from TVET colleges.

Dean of Student Affairs, Nonkosi Tyolwana, welcomed the attendees, and thanked the IEC for bringing the campaign to Higher Education Institutions.

She highlighted the importance of students using their vote.

“Play your part and ensure that you change this country. The country is in your hands as young leaders of today And I hope and I trust that as you are my leaders, you are going to take this country forward.”

Belinda Mbeleni, the IEC’s Electoral Operations Manager in the Western Cape, said it was an honour for her to be at her alma mater, where she once served on the Student Representative Council.

“Walking onto this campus always brings back vivid memories of my time here, when this institution was still known as the Peninsula Technikon. I was here that I completed my National Diploma in Public Administration in 1993 and later my Higher Diploma in Public Management in 1996. But most importantly, it was here that I first discovered the power of leadership, civic responsibility and active citizenship.”

She left the students with the following message: “My journey began exactly where you are sitting today, as a student who chose to get involved. Each one of you has the potential to contribute to the future of our country and our democracy. South Africa needs your ideas, South Africa needs your energy, your youthful energy. And South Africa needs your participation.”

“Let us honour the legacy of those who fought for our democratic freedom by ensuring that we use them. So register, vote, participate, because the future of our democracy is not only in the hands of the leaders, it is in your hands.”

CPUT Central SRC President Liyabulela Gela, said that when young people register to vote, they are declaring that their voices matter and that they intend to be counted in the decisions that affect or shape their future.

“To be registered to vote means more than having your name on the voter's role. It means being recognised as an active participant in the democratic life of the country. It means that when decisions are made about service delivery, infrastructure, public safety, and opportunities for youth, the voice of young people cannot be ignored.

“At universities such as CPUT, we represent a generation that is educated, aware, and capable of contributing meaningfully to the governance and public discourse. Our participation in elections is therefore not optional. It is a civic responsibility.”

Students were invited to register for the Local Government Elections and a Q&A session was held to answer all their burning questions.

Written by Ilse Fredericks
Email: Frederickskennediji@cput.ac.za