LOCAL ELECTIONS 2026: 10 under-30 candidates make a powerful case for their seat in council chambers
Young people are often criticised for disengaging from politics, but these researchers, community organisers and local activists, all under the age of 30, have had enough of decisions about their future being made without them and have decided to contest the local government elections.
A group of young candidates, all under the age of 30, are making waves in the upcoming local government elections in South Africa. Despite a decline in youth voter participation, these candidates have decided to contest the elections to have a say in shaping their communities and futures. Their political stances vary, but they all share the belief that youth should play a decisive role in decision-making processes.
Megan Kate Mannion, a 28-year-old political researcher from Cape Town, is running for the Good party in Ward 69. She is addressing rising living costs, particularly rates and tariffs, which are pushing young residents out of the city. Mannion aims to make Cape Town more affordable by proposing income-linked rates and tariff relief, preventing landlords' debt from being recovered through tenants' prepaid electricity tariffs, and ensuring that tariff increases are published in plain language before council votes.
Zwelethu Jeza, a 28-year-old ANC councillor from uMdoni Local Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, is also running for election. He was nominated by his community and endorsed by Inkosi MP Ngcobo of the Nyuswa Traditional Authority. Jeza believes that the youth must be in charge of the country's affairs as they are the future. He intends to continue focusing on service delivery and working with community stakeholders if elected.
Lerato Mashigo, a 24-year-old resident of Orlando East and political activist, is the youngest candidate running in Ward 31 of the City of Tshwane. She is a member of Build One South Africa (Bosa), an organization that places less emphasis on party politics and more on serving the community. Mashigo is passionate about strengthening accountability, service, and rebuilding trust between citizens and political leadership.
If elected, she would prioritize community safety and tackling youth unemployment through providing opportunities in her ward.
Moshinini Lawrence Manaka, a 23-year-old Johannesburg resident and grassroots education and political activist, is running for wards 93 and 112. He serves in the Gauteng provincial legislature office as a researcher and is the youth convenor at Rise Mzansi. Manaka believes that his ward deserves someone committed to service and who will be present.
He is confident that his age is not a disqualifying factor, as it is all about capabilities and track record. Manaka aims to make an impact on the city council by addressing the deteriorating quality of councillors and ensuring that every decision made by the municipality and its wards is taken seriously.
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