The 2024 national elections were deemed a turning point for South Africa, with the general public hoping for a new political landscape that will address the longstanding economic challenges in the country. Driven by the desire for change, Khotso Pitso, a final year BA student in politics studies at the North-West University (NWU), worked as a voters’ roll officer at the Slovo Park Clinic in Ekurhuleni.
Pitso’s duties included facilitating the voting process during the elections and working closely with other election officials to ensure smooth and fair electoral processes. In his interpersonal interactions, Pitso continued to abide by the electoral laws and procedures.
“Someone I know personally requested a favour to cast a special vote but had not registered to do so. Some people do not know where to draw the line, therefore I had to maintain my professionalism above my personal relationships,” Pitso added.
Pitso spoke highly of his experience working for the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), stating that it had provided him with a broad understanding of the functioning of the political system.
“The most fulfilling aspect of this job, in my opinion, is that it will enrich my degree in political studies and have an influence on my future profession.”
The youth’s participation in voting is essential to ensure a representative, responsive and forward-looking democracy. However, Pitso had predicted that the elderly in his village would vote in greater numbers than the youth, and in fact, as he put it, "the senior citizens came out in numbers to cast their votes".
Though Pitso is satisfied with the voting procedure, he claimed it would be more effective if senior citizens automatically received special votes. “My preference is for special votes to be automatically granted to senior citizens in the future, without the need for them to apply,” he added.
“One of the most memorable experiences was the diversity I was exposed to,” said Pitso. He added, “I dealt with a variety of personalities, and everyone was warm and inviting. My interactions with people of all racial and ethnic backgrounds were a true representation of the diversity in my neighbourhood.”
Pitso went on to say that learning how to use the voter management device (VMD) during the special votes period and on election day was the most challenging moment he encountered. He claimed that after overcoming the technical difficulties, the VMD turned into his ideal election-related gadget.
Breaking the glass ceiling
“I am proud of myself and proud of what I have been able to accomplish, and I made a personal promise to greatly impact the lives of my parents,” said Pitso. In addition to being an engaged citizen, Pitso collaborated on a fruitful community project in 2022 with the Student Campus Council (SCC) Rag office. In 2023, Pitso became the first student in the history of the Potchefstroom Campus to be appointed as the humanities sports officer for the Student Academic Chapter (SAC).
In 2024, Pitso was named the winner of the opening and closing arguments in the faculty debate between the faculties of Economic and Management Sciences and Humanities regarding the economic growth of the country and multiple ownership in the economic sector, as well as the role of the political system in ensuring that corruption in the economic sector is taken care of.
Khotso Pitso is the former vice-captain of the male squad of NWU Netball, and he is currently serving as a student ambassador for entrepreneurial promotion for the NWU Potchefstroom Campus.
