We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/Script(( PLAYBOOK SLUG: SAF-Democracy-Anniversary TV
HEADLINE: South Africans Mark 30 Years of Freedom Ahead of Pivotal Poll
TEASER: Gen Z’s vote could be a game-changer at May elections, where the governing ANC could lose their majority for the first time.
PUBLISHED AT: 3/27/24
BYLINE: Kate Bartlett
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Johannesburg
VIDEOGRAPHER: Zaheer Cassim
VIDEO EDITOR: Zaheer Cassim
SCRIPT EDITORS: MAS, DLJ
VIDEO SOURCES: VOA Original
PLATFORMS: WEB _ TV _X_ RADIO _X_
TRT: 2:49
VID APPROVED BY: wpm
TYPE: TVPKG
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO)) [[It's an important year for South Africa. Not only is the country marking 30 years since the start of its democracy, it's also an election year and observers say the polls will be the most fiercely contested ever. Kate Bartlett has the story from Johannesburg.]]
((VIDEO-VOA: Wide shots of Constitution Hill and former prison, intro shots of Palesa))
((NARRATOR))
Palesa Musa was incarcerated at this former women’s prison in Johannesburg in 1976, when she was just 12 years old, for her role in the struggle against apartheid.
((Palesa Musa, Jailed Under Apartheid) (SOT 1))
“The reason why I was brought here was because they found me in Winnie Mandela’s house, where I was learning to use AK-47 to defend my country.”
((NARRATOR))
She recalls her elation when Nelson Mandela was sworn in as the country’s first Black president in 1994. But thirty years later, Musa is disillusioned by corruption in the governing African National Congress (ANC) party.
((Palesa Musa, Jailed Under Apartheid) (SOT 2)
“You know what, our country, I don’t know, they just eat money. They don’t care about those who put them in parliament, they forget about us.”
((VIDEO-VOA: Palesa walking away, old photos in museum, South African flag))
Now this once brutal prison is a museum and home to the Constitutional Court and a human rights festival is held here every year with talks, art and music.
(VIDEO-VOA: Stalls, young attendees at Human Rights festival, music))
Many of the people attending this year are so-called “born frees,” because they never knew apartheid.
South Africa holds elections in May and analysts say the youth vote could be a game-changer – if they turn out.
((VIDEO-VOA: shots of Tessa))
Tessa Dooms is the director of a new think tank, Rivonia Circle.
((VIDEO-VOA: intro shots of Tessa))
((Tessa Dooms, Rivonia Circle Director) (SOT 1))
“If young people showed up by themselves, just people under the age of 35, they would make up about 14 million voters 6.49 / so young people must understand if they show up in this election they can change the country, they really have the ability to do it.” 7:07
((NARRATOR))
((VIDEO-VOA: Wide shots of the youth voter workshop))
Thirty-year-old Unathi Mzileni is attending a workshop for young voters. South Africa is struggling with 65 percent youth unemployment and numerous polls predict the ANC will lose its majority for the first time in May.
((Unathi Mzileni, Voter) (SOT 1)) rec00140
“I was like if I see a corrupt political party doing whatever in terms of poor service delivery and lack of many opportunities, then I was like I might as well not vote.”
((VIDEO-VOA: Intro shots of Thabang Makgakwe))
((NARRATOR))
But 23-year-old Thabang Makgakwe is excited to cast his ballot for the first time ever.
((Thabang Makgakwe, Voter) (SOT 1))
“I registered to vote last year, I made sure, and like I used my social platforms, my Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp like ‘guys, vote vote vote!’… I want to see things changing in South Africa, inequality, corruption, I want to see change, I believe in change.”
((NARRATOR))
((VIDEO-VOA: Iittle kids dancing))
He says South Africa’s democracy is worth protecting, for future generations.
((Kate Bartlett, VOA News, Johannesburg))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
Subtitles / Dubbing AvailableNo
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMarch 28, 2024 08:51 EDT
BylineKate Bartlett
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
