As South Africa prepares for its local government elections in November, the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) Justice and Peace Commission has launched a new initiative aimed at encouraging greater youth participation in the democratic process.

On Friday, 17 July, the SACBC Justice and Peace Commission, in partnership with Citizens ZA and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), brought together youth ambassadors from six deaneries of the Archdiocese of Johannesburg for a day of civic education, equipping them to promote voter registration and participation among their peers.

The workshop, the first in what organisers describe as a pilot programme, focused not on supporting any political party, but on helping young Catholics understand that voting is both a civic responsibility and an expression of active citizenship.

Each deanery was represented by young ambassadors accompanied by the priest responsible for Justice and Peace, creating an opportunity for dialogue between Church leaders and young people committed to serving their communities.

Participation is essential

Participants received an unexpected visit from Cardinal Stephen Brislin, Archbishop of Johannesburg and President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, who shared a personal reflection on why he recently updated his own voter registration after moving from Cape Town to Johannesburg.

The Cardinal told the young ambassadors that registering online was simple and reminded them that participation is the foundation of democracy.

Although democracy is not a perfect system, he said, it remains the best way of ensuring that citizens participate in shaping the future of their country. Every vote, he explained, may seem small on its own, but together they determine the direction of society. He encouraged the young people to vote according to their conscience, carefully considering leaders who demonstrate honesty, ethical leadership and a genuine commitment to serving the common good, especially the poor, unemployed and vulnerable.

“We never tell people who they must vote for,” Cardinal Brislin said. “That is up to the individual conscience. But participation is essential. If we give that away, we are giving others free rein to decide our future.”

He also challenged the youth ambassadors to carry this message back to their parishes and communities, particularly to young people who have become discouraged by unemployment, poverty and political disillusionment.

Investing in young leaders

Judy Bassingthwaighte, a board member of Citizens ZA, described the workshop as a successful first step in a broader campaign to encourage young South Africans to participate in elections. She explained that Citizens ZA chose to work closely with faith communities because churches remain important spaces where young people can be reached and empowered.

“Our education goes beyond voting,” she said. “It is about responsible citizenship and protecting our democracy.”

Calling the workshop a pilot project, she said the programme would now be evaluated before being expanded through church networks, social media platforms and ongoing engagement with youth leaders.

A generation ready to lead

The workshop resonated strongly with the young participants; many of whom admitted they had never fully understood the importance of voting.

Dineo Mphako, who will be voting for the first time this year, said the training helped her realise that her vote truly matters. “I am voting for change,” she said. “I want our youth to be more informed because we are the future.”

Lwandle Mphuthi from the Soweto Deanery said she now looks forward to learning more about political parties before casting her vote, while Liseli Moche said the workshop inspired her to encourage other young people to register and vote.

Representatives Tyler Howard and his fellow ambassador Takinha Simão from Mater Dolorosa Parish in the Central Deanery said they volunteered to attend because they wanted to better understand the electoral process. They said the day reinforced that every individual vote contributes to the bigger picture and that young people must recognise their own value in shaping South Africa’s future.

Forming ambassadors of hope

Fr Theodore, Justice and Peace chaplain for the Northern Deanery, linked civic participation to the Church’s social teaching, recalling Pope Leo XIII’s landmark social encyclical Rerum Novarum, which encourages Christians to engage responsibly in public life.

Meanwhile Philani Mkhize from the SACBC Justice and Peace Commission, said the young ambassadors demonstrated that leadership begins now, not in some distant future. He noted that the initiative would continue beyond Johannesburg, with further engagements planned through youth ministry gatherings and other Church structures.

The programme also received support from the European Union’s Technical Assistance Facility. Youth expert Moeketsi Koahela encouraged participants to become informed voters by researching candidates, engaging critically with information online and resisting misinformation before making electoral decisions.

The workshop provided practical civic education, with IEC officials explaining the voter registration process, the role of local government and the importance of informed participation. Young Catholics were encouraged to register, verify their voter status, make informed choices and inspire other young people to take part in the November local government elections, while those not yet registered or needing to update their details received assistance at the end of the session.