As election fever grips the nation, South Africa’s leading politicians are to come face-to-face with some of their youngest constituents in a special programme from MTV Base (DStv Channel 322) and MTV (DStv Channel 130), aimed at motivating young people to engage in the electoral process. “MTV Base Choose or Lose 2014” will air simultaneously on MTV and MTV Base ahead of the upcoming elections on Sunday 4 May 2014 at 18:00 CAT (repeat: 22:00 CAT, 4 May).
President Jacob Zuma (ANC), DA leader Helen Zille and EFF president Julius Malema will appear in an historic one-hour TV special where they will be quizzed on why South African youth should vote for them for the coming term of office.
Eight young South African “born frees” (ie born after the first South Africa democratic elections in 1994) will be on hand to put the leaders on the spot and pose questions about a range of issues including education, service delivery, HIV/AIDS, gender issues and other burning issues affecting the youth of today.
Facilitated by MTV Base VJ Sizwe Dhlomo, “MTV Base Choose or Lose 2014” is based on MTV’s global “Choose or Lose” campaign, created in 1982 to inform and empower young voters on the political issues that matter to them most, and to provide a platform for airing their views. The campaign has been credited with fuelling several of the largest youth voter turnouts in US history, including the 2004 elections, when it helped inspire nearly 22 million 18-30 year olds to register and vote. The campaign has subsequently engaged youth voters in many other countries around the world including Mexico’s 2006 Presidential election. In Africa, “Choose or Lose” has also spawned initiatives such as “MTV Base Meets” – a platform where young people are given the opportunity to interact directly with inspirational leaders and opinion formers.
The Choose or Lose election drive will also include on air promos and additional short editorial pieces on MTV and MTV Base, encouraging young people to get out there and vote, during the build up to the election.
Commented Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, “For South Africa to fulfil its full potential it is critical that her young people, who make up the majority of the continent’s population, actively engage in choosing leaders who will address the issues they face. We are excited to leverage our Choose or Lose campaign to encourage young South Africans to go out and vote in the upcoming elections with a better understanding of the leading candidates and their agendas.
Commented Tim Horwood, Channel Director, MTV Base, “The Choose or Lose campaign plays an important role in helping to bridge the divide that can exist between a country’s leaders and its youth. The MTV Base Choose or Lose initiative demonstrates real progress in South Africa as it showcases the candidates’ keen interest in engaging with young voters. We are honoured to be a platform for this important discourse.”
