Johannesburg - With only four days left before the local government elections, there’s still criticism that the specific needs of children don’t feature prominently enough on election manifestos.
In a Save the Children South Africa DVD launched this week, children from many provinces carry placards with tape over their mouths symbolising the absence of their voices in society.
On the DVD, titled I’m Too Young to Vote: Our Voices, children speak of the need for basic facilities such as parks, clean running water and toilets that work at schools.
“One day I’ll be a voter. I’m going to vote for people who care about South Africa’s children,” said one child.
Another said: “The decisions you make have the power to change our lives.”
Children from a school adopted by the NGO Media Monitoring Africa also voiced their concerns.
Thandolenkosi Chauke, 12, deputy head boy at Park Senior Primary School in Turffontein, Joburg, said he didn't know much about elections, “but I do know that the winning party will have to improve our community”.
The Grade 7 pupil, who lives in La Rochelle, Rosettenville, said: “I want them to build a recreational centre so that children can go there instead of roaming the streets and smoking”.
Pretoria News