By Charlotte Newton NELSON Mandela s lifelong dedication to fighting racial oppression in South Africa has inspired a teenager to become involved in politics. Adam Jogee lives in Hornsey and attends Highgate Wood School in Montenotte Road, but he also has

By Charlotte Newton

NELSON Mandela's lifelong dedication to fighting racial oppression in South Africa has inspired a teenager to become involved in politics.

Adam Jogee lives in Hornsey and attends Highgate Wood School in Montenotte Road, but he also has strong ties to Africa.

His father is Zimbabwean and his grandparents, whom he speaks to on the telephone three times a week, live in Harare.

After reading Nelson Mandela's autobiography - Long Walk to Freedom - Adam decided to stand as a candidate for the UK's Youth Parliament.

He explained: "Africa is very close to my heart and I think that what Nelson Mandela did for the people of South Africa is amazing. The fight he put up, so the people of South Africa could exercise a basic human right - the right to be represented - is astounding."

Sixteen-year-old Adam is currently studying for his GCSEs. He hopes to take history, economics, philosophy and politics A levels.

He added: "I would, one day, like to become a politician and stand up for people in this country, but that's a long way off and for now I'm concentrating on young people."

His manifesto is to:

o Campaign for better places for young people to go

o Fight for safer streets;

o Improve the reputation of young people in media.

He said: "I think we've come a long way since Victorian times, when children were meant to be seen and not heard. But there is still a lot of work to be done, particularly in the way teenagers are portrayed in the media.

"I am not giving young people a voice, but raising their voice. I want young people to be heard and appreciated."

If Adam is elected as the representative for Haringey, he will attend regional meetings across London with other delegates of the Youth Parliament.

Working together, as an elected body, they will endeavour to improve the lives of young people across the borough.

He explains: "My real aim is to get young people to exercise their democratic right to vote.

"Even if they choose not to vote for me I would urge everyone who is eligible to turn out for the elections.

"We have a real opportunity to improve life young people's lives, so we should make the most of it."

The elections are from January 28 until February 1. Anyone aged 11 to 19 can vote. Registration forms for the elections are available at all schools and youth clubs in the borough.

If you are not in full-time education and would like to vote, telephone Joyce Ogunjobi on 020- 8493 1002.

The manifestos of the nine other candidates are available online now at: www.youthspace. haringey.gov.uk.

If you would like to contact Adam directly, send an email to youth.office@haringey.gov.uk.