DURBAN, KwaZulu-Natal – The Active Citizens Coalition (ACC) is making a distinct mark in the 2026 local government elections by fielding young, community-driven candidates who are actively challenging the status quo of career politicians. As part of the broader wave of youth representation—where young people make up 32 percent of the 136,000 candidates certified by the Electoral Commission—the ACC is positioning itself as a fresh alternative for voters seeking generational change.
At the forefront of the ACC’s youth mobilization strategy in the eThekwini municipality is 29-year-old Yunus Syed, the party’s ward councillor candidate for Ward 30. A medical student, Syed has had to rigorously balance the intense demands of his academic studies with the rigorous requirements of running for public office. For Syed and the ACC, the core message is simple: the youth must take ownership of their political future.
Syed argues that relying on seasoned, older politicians to solve modern youth challenges is a flawed strategy that has yielded no results for decades.
“If you don’t use your voice, who will? Who is going to be your voice?” Syed asked during his campaign trail. “Are you going to have some 70-year-old, 80-year-old, seasoned politician, career politician make the decisions that change your life? I don’t think so. Use your vote.”
The ACC’s platform, as articulated by its young candidates, focuses heavily on uplifting the community through fresh perspectives. Syed emphasizes that voters need to look beyond traditional political loyalties and elect individuals who genuinely understand their current needs.
“Vote for someone who actually speaks to what you need. Uplift the people who can uplift you,” Syed urged. “Don’t uplift those who have been sitting in the same position for the past 20 years and there’s been no change. If it’s an election, you need to elect. That’s the whole concept.”
The ACC’s commitment to this philosophy is evident in the grassroots effort its candidates have mounted. Over the past several months, Syed and his fellow ACC youngsters have crisscrossed their respective communities, navigating difficult terrain to connect directly with residents.
Like other young candidates across the political spectrum, the ACC’s primary challenge has been overcoming voter apathy and convincing their peers to actively participate in the democratic process. As the 2026 local government elections enter their final stretch, the Active Citizens Coalition remains confident that their message of youth empowerment and community upliftment will resonate strongly at the ballot box.
