Politics
Learner leaders elected at IEC summit to boost school democracy – SABC News
The Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC) says programmes that promote democracy in schools are helping to prepare South Africa’s future voters and leaders.
The Commission on Friday oversaw the election of the National Representative Council of Learners’ (NRCL) National Executive at the 2026 Learner Leadership Summit in Benoni.
The initiative forms part of the IEC’s School Democracy Programme, implemented in partnership with the Department of Basic Education to promote democratic values and encourage eligible learners to register and vote.
Ninety learner delegates from across the country took part in electing six national office bearers.
IEC Chief Electoral Officer Sy Mamabolo says the programme provides learner leaders with practical experience of democratic processes.
Mamabolo says, “As leaders, we want to inculcate the ethos of democracy and give them some knowledge about how electoral processes unfold so that using the positions they already hold, they can influence others within the schooling environment so that we build a new cadre of democratically minded South Africans who can enrich our democracy over time.”
Mamabolo says developing ethical leaders begins long before young people become eligible to vote.
He says the School Democracy Programme aims to encourage democratic participation while preparing learners for future civic responsibilities.
Mamabolo urged the newly elected leaders to lead with integrity and place the interests of those they represent above their own.
“Leadership, you use it as a position of influence for the collective benefit of those you represent. less about yourself, indeed less about your groups, but for the collective benefit of everybody. Now, in order to be able to exercise leadership in that manner, you must imbue the value of integrity. Even as young as you are, you must begin to imbue your leadership with the value of integrity,” Mamabolo says.
PODCAST |
Day 2/3 | Learner Leadership Summit 2026 🗳️.
Learner leaders officially cast their votes to elect the 2026 National RCL Executive Committee, putting democratic principles into practice. The election results will be announced on Friday, 26 June 2026. pic.twitter.com/uDipQS55YE
— IEC South Africa (@IECSouthAfrica) June 25, 2026
