Registered to vote yet? Here's how to get a free gift from Swiitch Beauty if you are

• South African beauty brand Swiitch Beauty is offering free makeup to registered voters for the 2024 elections to encourage youngsters to register and vote this year.
• Over 560 000 people registered for the first time in November 2023, with 78% being youth aged 16 to 29.
• For more lifestyle news, go to the News24 Life front page.

South African makeup brand Swiitch Beauty is encouraging civic participation among its customers by offering a free makeup product if they’re registered to vote.

The brand has introduced a campaign that offers a free full-sized mono tint to customers who can prove that they are registered to vote in the upcoming 2024 general elections.

The initiative will kick off at the brand's Sip and Shop Switch Rally, scheduled to take place at Rosebank Mall on Saturday.

This strategic move aims to engage more young people and South Africans, in general, to show up at the ballot and exercise their democratic rights in the upcoming elections.

The democratic elections, which are scheduled to take place between May and August 2024, will see South Africans who are 18 years and older cast their vote, but voter registration is open to citizens from 16 years. 

According to the IEC, there are currently 26.9 million registered voters in the country, and over 560 000 of them registered for the first time during voters' registration weekend in November 2023.

The IEC also revealed that 78% of the 568 374 newly registered voters are youth between 16 and 29, proving that efforts to attract young voters were successful.

To ensure that no one misses the opportunity to register, the beauty brand has collaborated with the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) in association with the IEC to make registration accessible.  

“If you’re not registered to vote - NYDA in association [with] the @IECSouthAfrica will have a booth at the rally, so you have absolutely zero excuse,” the brand wrote in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter).

In the meantime, here's how to check if you are registered to vote:  

How to register:

• Register as a voter online anytime, anywhere until proclamation. http://registertovote.elections.org.za  It's safe, quick and easy.
• Register at your local IC office Monday - Friday 8am-5pm. Visit www.elections.org.za/pw/About-Us/Find-IEC-Local-Offices. Call first to check availability.