Government spokesperson and former journalist Sizwe Kupelo has criticised the Independent Electoral Commission for allegedly failing to educate South Africans about the power of voting and democratic participation.
In his opinion piece, Kupelo argues that low voter turnout, poor registration levels, and recurring violent protests reflect a collapse in civic education. He says many so-called “service delivery protests” have evolved into acts of economic sabotage involving road blockades, truck burnings, and destruction of public infrastructure.
Kupelo believes the IEC once played a stronger educational role under former leaders such as Johann Kriegler and Brigalia Bam, but has since failed to maintain effective year-round voter awareness campaigns.
He calls for continuous civic education through radio, television, community outreach, and political party programmes, arguing that citizens should be taught that the ballot box — not violence or arson — is the legitimate way to remove underperforming governments.
The article also references the death of Andries Tatane and criticises what Kupelo describes as the normalisation of destructive protest actions over the past two decades.
Kupelo warns that South Africa risks democratic decline if citizens remain disconnected from the electoral process. He concludes by urging the IEC, government, and political parties to intensify voter education ahead of the 2026 local government elections so that political change is driven through voting rather than unrest.
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