“Party” Politics

Just as I was getting tired of seeing the forced smiles of politicians on election posters, I received a text message from the youth wing of the newly formed Congress of the People (COPE) inviting me to a pre-election party at a club in Rosebank, it read as follows: POLITICS UNUSUAL-DRESS: SMART CASUAL, NO TAKKIES, 21 APRIL 21H30, GREAT DJS INCLUDING SOULCANDI.

Still amazed at the fact that the new ‘kids’ on the block were using the party platform (excuse the pun), to garner votes, I was told by a friend that the ANC had a similar campaign ploy in an attempt to convince the youth to choose them when it came to that crucial moment in the polling booth.

The issue of hosting bashes and a collection of other merry events, in an attempt to gain votes, begs the following question, will the party that hosts the best functions with the greatest volumes of free alcohol get the most votes? I certainly hope not.

It seems likely that the days of passionate rallies and emotive speeches shall soon be a thing of the past. Maybe this is the one platform that will be able to reach out to the youth who have hitherto displayed an apathetic attitude towards politics.Critical issues of policy, service delivery and other issues central to our political landscape mean little to none to some of the youth. In fact, it seems apparent that the political parties feel that the youth are not concerned about politics at all, but seem to think that if they have DJ Sbu or Chomee, or even Hlomla Dandala as part of their campaign then they have the youth’s attention, even if the youth are ignorant of their policies.

Straightforwardly said, the youth enjoy parties, nevertheless, if you think that by hosting a party we are going to vote for you, then the very basis of your reasoning undermines our intelligence as young citizens of this country.On a lighter note, the Levi’s Vintage Sundays are back at Crazy 88 in Norwood, entrance is free of charge.