Cleopatra Chido Mpemba with the Head of the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM) former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta
By Reginald Tapfumaneyi
The African Union Commission (AUC) Special Envoy on Youth affairs Ms Cleopatra Chido Mpemba has praised the youth for their active participation on the recently held elections in South Africa on May 29.
Speaking on the sidelines of a media conference held by the Head of the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM), former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta two days after the end of the elections, Ms Mpemba spoke in unison with the head of the AU delegation describing the process as peaceful.
“The South African youth displayed a very positive attitude during and after the elections so far, their tolerance and maintaining peace is the spirit we encourage all the people in the continent as the African Union,” she said.
Ms Mpemba added, “I am happy for the increased participation of youth and women in the electoral processes with 54% representation as AU observers in South Africa.”
Mpemba was part of the African Union delegation deployed to observe the South Africa elections which was led by the former President of Kenya, H.E Uhuru Kenyatta.
“I joined youth observers from across the continent and spent some time in the field stationed in Cape Town. What we witnessed as observers is highly recommended in our continent for peaceful elections and active participation. I believe that more still needs to be done to encourage the participation of youth in the process and increase the number of youth voter registration,” urged Ms. Mpemba.
Africa is still grappling with a high number of youth who are not registered voters or at least not voting although they are registered, a democratic right that the past generation fought for against the former colonial regimes.
Meanwhile also presenting his findings at the same media conference, former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta cited that his team was impressed by the overall process.
“Overall, the mission notes that the 2024 South African National and Provincial Elections were pivotal for the country’s democratic future and had implications for political stability within South Africa and the sub-region.
“South Africans freely exercised their constitutional right to vote and voted peacefully. The participation of youth and women offers hope for the future of democracy in Africa, and indicates an increased trust in the electoral process,” he said.
Since arriving in South Africa, the African Union Election Observation delegation engaged with key stakeholders, including the IEC, the media, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), faith-based organisations, representatives of the international community and Heads of other Election Observer Missions, the African Diplomatic Corps and the international community, and academia.
