Eastern Cape Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Zolile Williams says weak governance and poor service delivery contribute greatly to voter apathy.

Williams was addressing various stakeholders at an engagement session he held in Mthatha, Eastern Cape.

The engagement seeks to share key timelines and processes pertaining to the upcoming local government elections.

Williams called on municipalities to ensure that basic services are provided to communities in order to curb the crisis of trust in local government.

“That may actually bring back trust to the communities and contribute positively towards the youth and the voters generally going to vote. We would want to assist the IEC with improving the voter turnout in our province. But what is critical is for government to perform effectively and efficiently to bring services because if we fail to deliver services, we may be contributing to that negative apathy that our people are suffering.”

Meanwhile, young people at the session complained about government’s slow pace in addressing the issue of high unemployment rate amongst the youth, especially in their province.

Musa Kwetana says as an unemployed graduate himself, he feels let down by government.

“I’m an academic. I do not have a faction, I just apply. So, I just need if the MEC to employ people that are capable doing their job.”

Meanwhile, the Electoral Commission is running a nationwide campaign to address voter apathy, especially amongst youth voters.