When I was younger and on the cusp of adulthood, I was oblivious to a lot of things.
These included mathematical algorithms, lying boyfriends and anything to do with politics and news.
I don’t exactly know why I never paid attention to the news, presumably because I was constantly distracted by my silly teenage drama. But I remember coming home from high school and telling my parents about the nepotism and unfair advantages between the white students and white teachers, a problem my high school was infested with.
My father would regard me with an inquisitive stare and ask: “What are the students going to do about this?”
His question always bothered me because he knew I’d simply shrug and reply that the students would do nothing and to be honest, I could understand their decision.
This would lead into one of my father’s endless speeches about student power and all the weight it carried when he was younger and a part of the apartheid revolution.
I would sit there and nod, hoping the history lecture would end because my younger self was just not interested. Not because I was lazy or didn’t know what to do to make my voice heard. No, none of these factors stopped me from speaking out. It was the fear of being ignored because a huge part of me felt like my voice was not powerful enough.
It’s this delusional and ignorant thought that stops our younger generation today. That student power and pride died down after the dawn of democracy, but after last year’s historic #FeesMustFall march, everything has changed.
To put it mildly, a lot of the youth today just don’t see the point to politics. Most of us, especially those who are just starting to pay attention to politics, don’t see much change in the government.
We have grown up with apartheid stories and we’ve come to face the fact that life in South Africa, especially for a person of colour, was truly unkind. However, these are only stories we’re told around the dinner table and what we as the youth see today, our students running away from grenades and bullets, is exactly what we pictured apartheid to be like.
But don’t get me wrong, the difference between today’s South Africa and the past is majorly different. Today’s youth are still holding a heavy mistrust in their hearts towards government. When we think about the elections, it’s become the norm to expect a low attendance by our youth. But when one looks at the older generation, who still hold onto the belief that voting is a duty, there is more loyalty.
I have been in this disloyal bracket as well. When it was time for my first election, I never voted. In fact, I didn’t bother to register. This not only disappointed the elder members of my family but now as I look back, I am disappointed in myself as well.
A young person today is more likely to participate in politics via social media platforms or protesting. To our generation, this seems more productive than signing up at a political party.
I believe students are still lost and misunderstood. We have a new way of doing things and going against corrupt governments. Our country has taken a huge step back lately and now I have to admit my father had been right all along. Students have no idea how powerful their voices could become.