Elections 2026 | Young South Africans losing faith in politics

MSHOLOZI - As vote counting continues across the country, the elections have highlighted growing frustration among young South Africans who have lost faith in the political system.

For many young South Africans, the promise of a better future is becoming increasingly difficult to believe.

At 29, Liyabona Mula has invested in his education and remains hopeful of building a career in agricultural sciences.

But with job opportunities hard to come by, he says political parties have done little to convince him that young people’s futures are a priority.

Mula says corruption, poor service delivery and a lack of opportunities led him to boycott Wednesday’s local government elections.

"They promise once you take up education that’s the key to success. But then you realise a lot of things are involved," he said.

"People who are connected are employed. It’s not like you lack the skills or education, but you don’t fit into the space that the country is operating in."

For Mula, the problem goes beyond unemployment. It’s about losing faith in a system that promised education and hard work would open doors to opportunity.

- eNCA’s Naomi Kobbie reports.