SA needs young IEC commissioners

Parliament continues to overlook young, capable leaders

- NKOSIKHULULE NYEMBEZI

IT IS 9:05a.m. on a Tuesday, and I am listening online to the deliberations of the October 21 Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs. The main item of interest to me is the consideration of the letter from the Chief Justice regarding the filling of the vacant Commissioner positions at the Electoral Commission.

I follow the focus of concerns of MPs on the age of candidates, as they speak of the need to inject young blood into the commission and wonder whether there is sufficient investment in youth to justify the level of expectation that suitably-qualified young citizens will avail themselves to serve as commissioners. Not enough.

While there have been numerous efforts to ensure gender and racial diversity in the past, decision-makers have never emphatically regarded the age of leaders of our democracy-supporting institutions, including candidates for the electoral commission, as a concern.

I noted the historic drama of the moment where some political parties fretted about the age of candidates. They lamented that all candidates were above 50. As a 49-year-old, and the youngest on the list, that made me feel invisible.

At 72, Judge Mjabuliseni Isaac Madondo was the oldest candidate and MPs raised concerns about what they perceived as potential limitations. The committee chairperson, Mosa Chabane, noted that the manner of the job might take a toll on Madondo's health, but urged members to be objective in their recommendations.

Moleboheng Modise-Mpya (ANC) raised concern about the lack of younger candidates among those considered and emphasised the need to start developing a new generation of a "second layer" of younger professionals critical for ensuring continuity, energy, and long-term sustainability in the country's electoral management, while warning that continually appointing older individuals risks losing momentum in leadership renewal.