DUT student Sydney Keya focuses on youth and politics

The IEC has been youth-focused for the upcoming local government elections on 4 November 2026. South Africa’s youth make up the overwhelming majority of eligible and registered voters, with roughly 4 million young people registered to vote in the local government elections. At the same time, over 32% of the candidates contesting this crowded ballot are between the ages of 18 and 39, signaling an unprecedented push for fresh leadership and community-led solutions. On this premise third-year Durban University of Technology (DUT) journalism student Sydney Keya hit the ground to focus on the intersection of youth and politics.