Everyone aspires to doing something memorable and important in one’s life. Some aspire to climb Mount Everest or land on the moon. I believe that the youth of Seychelles, in particular the 7000 first time voters, can be in for an adventure that will be a lifetime experience: Their vote can help Seychelles experience the first democratic change of government through the ballot box! This to me is a great adventure and a lifetime achievement.
The May election will be determined by the youth. This is what should make it exciting for them. The choice they have can be summed up in this way: Vote for Mr. Michel, and nothing will change. They will still be subject to political pressure, security clearance, and they will still be made to feel that whatever they want to pursue in life will depend on the government or their affiliation to some youth political organisation.
On the other hand, a vote for the SNP candidate will mean that first of all they will have turned an important page in the history of Seychelles. It will be the first legitimate change of government since we became an independent nation in 1976. It will also mark a new road for the country where the youth will not be subject to any political pressure. They will be entering an era when they will be respected for who they are and what they believe in, with freedom to seek employment and obtain it on merit, the elimination of security clearance and other means of control. In a nutshell, they will be in control of their own lives.
The youth vote will achieve even more. It will determine the country’s direction. For the first time in 34 years, we will seek to establish real democracy by pulling down all the barriers that have kept us is a one-party mode. The Seychellois will no longer feel that they should behave as loyal subjects to one person’s whims or risk losing everything. The youth can give our people back its respect and dignity.
When I speak to young persons, they always express their disappointment in many areas, especially with the lack of facilities in schools or the hardship they experience to get a job once they have qualified. They see the big gap between what is promised by the authorities and what actually happens in reality. They are tired of being pushed around, and most say that unfortunately they just have to play along in order to move forward in life.
May 21, 2011 will be the opportunity to reverse this present trend and get a government that does what it promises. What will make this happen is simply the fact that the rights of everyone will be respected and the youth will be allowed to stand up and make their demands heard by the government. There will be no tear gas, AK47’s or batons, but instead, there will be attentive ears willing to listen and carry out necessary reforms. This is part of the change the youth of Seychelles can give their country in about 8 weeks. The mere thought is exciting.
History has always been the greatest judge of humanity, and this is not about to change. This is why the May election has been described as a ‘rendez-vous’ with history. If you miss this chance, you will have to wait for another 5 years to correct it.
I am calling on the youth to ‘Get it right the first time.’ I believe our youth will rise to the occasion. Together we can make it happen for our generation and future ones. On May 21, let us all be part of the greatest adventure in our country’s modern history: Let us together change a 34yr old government. As the Nike slogan goes, ‘Just do it!’
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