We are in the 35th year anniversary of the Soweto uprisings that mark the Youth Day,
16 June 1976. The importance of remembering this important day that contributed largely to the political complexion of the country nationally and internationally is that young people defined their future and destiny politically, culturally, religiously and
linguistically.
The CRL Rights Commission endorses the Youth Month under the theme "Youth Action for Economic Freedom in Our Lifetime." and take this moment to encourage all cultural, religious and language youth formations to claim their identity, spirituality and language in this globalisation period we are living in and to promote diversity during this month and beyond.
The post apartheid challenges involving young people today inter'alia is the
preservation of cultural, religious and linguistic values and diversity that the 1976 young generation displayed to the extent of shedding their blood and losing their lives.
Even though colonialism and apartheid markedly and evidently distorted the cultural, religious and language currencies of Black people particularly Africans, the post
1994 generation were supposed to harness the constitutional gains as enshrined in
the Bill of Rights which protect and promote the civil liberties, socio-economic and cultural rights.
As the youth of South Africa celebrate this month of June, particular attention should be given to the need for authorities to allow the utmost expressim of these rights. In recent and specifically during the Human rights month this year, the Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic
Communities (CRL Rights Commission) has registered a number of complaints affecting young people in learning institutions.
These complaints relate to the admission and exclusion of leatners on the basis of the religious affiliations and practices. To be particular, we have witnessed the exclusion of Rastafarian learners from schools simply because of their hair dreadlocks (a feature which is important and central to the Rabtafarian and African Traditional Healers).
It is against this prevailing background that the CRL Rights Commission is calling on all authorities that have a bearing on the wellbeing of younb people particularly learning institutions to observe and promote the diverse cultural, religious and linguistic identities of young people during their policy and legislative reviews, consistently with constitutional provisions, specifically the Bill of Rights.
Enquiries:
Ms Botle Letsebe
Tel: 011 537 7600
Cell: 079 238 1485
