On 24 May 2024 the Executive Committee (ExCo) of the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Convocation hosted a public discussion themed “Battle for the youth vote – 30 years into democracy”.

Held at the NWU’s Mahikeng Campus and moderated by ExCo of Convocation member Bongani Mahlangu, attendees had the opportunity to engage with political party representatives on the coming election. The parties in attendance included the African National Congress, Economic Freedom Fighters, Patriotic Alliance, Rise Mzansi, Forum 4 Service Delivery and uMkhonto weSizwe Party.

Among the attendees were NWU students and staff, party representatives and supporters, external chapter formations such as the Black Management Forum, South African Youth Council and South African Union of Students, as well as senior public officials, including Cllr Tshepiso Mphehlo, executive mayor of the Mahikeng local municipality.

During the event, various issues were discussed at the hand of the political parties’ manifestos and policies. These issues included curbing the high youth unemployment rate, graduate skills programmes, and voter apathy – particularly among the youth.

This event marked the second major programme of the NWU Convocation, following the inaugural public lecture in October 2023, featuring Prof Somadoda Fikeni, Dr Geraldine Joslyn Fraser-Moleketi, and Suzanne Paxton.