Young MPs take up their seats in seventh parliament

The seventh parliament has seen the arrival of newly elected young MPs in Cape Town, where they will serve on their parties’ benches for five years.

Among them is ANC MP Fasiha Hassan, who said for the first time since 1994, there would be a large number of young MPs in parliament and young MPLs in provincial legislatures. She said the representatives should use the opportunity afforded them to drive the youth agenda of fighting unemployment and poverty.

“The responsibility is huge,” she said.

“Some people forget being a young person in this space is a burden. We carry the hopes, dreams and aspirations of millions of young people, but many of them are unemployed, disillusioned and without hope.

“That speaks to the great burden resting on us to change their lives. We know we are not going to do it overnight, and we know it is a systemic issue, but is that not why we contested the seats, so we could create national transformation that means not only changes in the laws but fundamental changes at the executive level as well?”

Hassan, a 30-year-old BCom LLB graduate from Wits University, said one of the most important challenges over the next five years will be solving the youth unemployment crisis. 

The former Gauteng MPL said the reality of young people always being shunted to the back of the queue regardless of which industry they are in must change.

“That is a tough pill for all of us to swallow. We don’t want to be backbenchers as young people. We want a seat at the decision-making table, and that requires kicking down the door and fighting for it.”

Some people forget being a young person in this space is a burden. We carry the hopes, dreams and aspirations of millions of young people.

—  Fasiha Hassan, ANC MP

One of her counterparts in the DA, Mlondi Mdluli, hopes young MPs will support each other in parliament, regardless of their ideological differences.

“While political parties have their own ideologies and priorities, the challenges faced by the youth — such as unemployment, access to education and social inequality — are universal issues that transcend party politics,” Mdluli said.

The 26-year-old said Youth Day serves as a powerful reminder of the challenges faced by young people, and underscores the urgency in addressing those issues. 

“The day not only commemorates the sacrifices of past generations in the fight for equality and justice, but also calls for us to make a renewed commitment to creating opportunities for the youth. It is a call to action for leaders, policymakers and society at large to invest in the future by providing young people with access to quality education, skills development and meaningful employment opportunities.”

Mdluli believes the responsibility he has been entrusted with is a great honour and a weighty duty.

“It signifies the trust placed in me by my peers and the broader community to represent their interests and advocate for meaningful change. This role demands I be a voice for the youth, ensuring their concerns and aspirations are at the forefront of national policy and decision-making. I am uniquely positioned to understand the challenges faced by my peers and to advocate effectively on their behalf.”

Touted by the DA as a notable talent during its party lists announcement, Mdluli said he was proud his party had recognised the value of what he has to offer. The MP, who is completing a PhD in economics at the University of Reading in the UK, said he had chosen to leave the corporate sector to play a role in the fight against inequality.

“As one of the youngest members elected to the National Assembly in 2024, I am acutely aware of the struggles my peers face,” he said. 

“As a young parliamentarian, I am dedicated to advocating for policies that will empower the youth, bridge the gap between education and employment, and ensure the voices of young people are heard and acted on in the corridors of power. Youth Day is both a celebration of our potential and a solemn reminder of the work that needs to be done to secure a brighter future for all young South Africans.”

This year, 67 MPs are in the 30 to 39 age range and 12 fall into the 20 to 29 band. The youngest MP sworn in on Friday was 20-year-old Cleo Wilskut from the Patriotic Alliance.