Pretoria – South Africans will commemorate Youth Day next week in recognition of the brave youth who on 16 June 1976 stood up against the apartheid government’s Bantu education laws.
The sacrifices made by the class of 1976 were a turning point in the history of the country and set South Africa firmly on the road to democracy.
Cabinet has called on the youth of the country to join in the 35th anniversary celebrations to be held next Thursday under the theme “Youth Action for Economic Freedom in our Lifetime”.
“Young people in particular are called upon to celebrate the monumental achievements of their forebearers’ whose struggles have helped to secure the opportunities presented to young people in the country today,” Cabinet spokesperson Jimmy Manyi told the media on Thursday.
The Youth Month theme is consistent with government’s commitment of meaningful economic transformation and inclusive growth towards the total eradication of poverty and the declaration of 2011 as the year of job creation.
The official event will be held in Orlando Stadium, where President Jacob Zuma will deliver the key note address.
The President will be accompanied by Minister in the Presidency responsible for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation as well as Administration Collins Chabane, Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane and National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Executive Chairperson Andile Lungisa.
June 16 is a day etched on the South African collective conscience. Commemorated over 30 years later as Youth Day, an official holiday, it is the day that honours the deaths of hundreds of Soweto school children – a day that changed the course of the country’s history. – BuaNews
