Youth take the floor as Joburg revives mock council to tackle voter apathy

The City of Johannesburg, in partnership with the University of Johannesburg's School of Public Management and Governance and its Government and Stakeholder Relations Unit, has revived its Mock Council Sitting for the first time in a decade—placing young people at the centre of conversations about the future of local democracy.

Hosted at Council Chambers on Friday, 27 March 2026, the initiative formed part of a broader public engagement drive under the theme “Addressing Voter Apathy: Youth, Democracy and the 2026 Local Government Elections". It brought together academia, government and key democratic institutions to confront declining electoral participation, particularly among young South Africans.

Proceedings were opened by Secretary to Council Andile Gobinca, who highlighted the importance of building institutional understanding among the youth. The programme featured contributions from a range of stakeholders, including the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), the South African Local Government Association, and leadership from the University of Johannesburg. Speaker of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature Honourable Morakane Mosupyoe was among the distinguished speakers.

Students from disciplines such as law, politics, public management and international relations participated, reflecting the interconnected nature of governance. The session provided a practical platform for engagement, allowing students to move beyond theory and interact directly with the realities of municipal leadership.

A standout moment was the Mock Council Sitting, where students assumed roles including Executive Mayor, Speaker and Members of the Mayoral Committee. They debated whether South Africa's Proportional Representation system should be reformed to improve accountability and voter participation. The discussion was marked by thoughtful engagement and a clear grasp of complex governance issues.

Delivering the keynote address, Speaker of Council Cllr Margaret Arnolds described the initiative as a meaningful intervention in strengthening democratic participation.

“This mock council sitting is not just an academic exercise. It is an intentional act of democratic engagement. It is an opportunity to bring young people into the very heart of governance - into the processes, the debates, and the responsibilities that define public leadership. Democracy cannot be sustained by institutions alone; it requires the active involvement of citizens. Young people must not disengage - they must participate, question and lead."

As South Africa prepares for the 2026 Local Government Elections, the return of the Mock Council Sitting signals the City's renewed commitment to participatory democracy, ensuring that young people are not only ready to vote but empowered to lead.

Written by Vusi Gumbi
30/03/2026

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