The year 2010 marks the 34th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto students’ uprising, the event that has not only exposed the brutality and thoughtlessness of the trigger-happy apartheid regime but undisputable the event that helped to change the political landscape of our country.
It was the selfless efforts of the 1976 generation that made apartheid government unworkable and gave new impetus to the liberation struggle. Through their gallant deeds inspired by extraordinary courage and resilience, the youth of 1976 has worked hard to drum-up international support and expose the mischief of the apartheid South Africa and awakened the conscious of the international community.
As we launch the Youth Month today, we remain not only alive and indebted to the many sacrifices that successive generations of young people have had to make, but we solemnly commit ourselves to working hard in partnership with our youth both organised and unorganised in realising the dream of the 1976 generation.
We have since 1994, worked vigorously to address the challenges faced by young people and deliver on the commitment of a better life for all. More than any time in the history of this country, access to education, both at a basic and tertiary level has improved quite substantially, the government is hard at work to reduce youth unemployment and has put in place necessary support mechanisms for our youth to express both their cultural and artistic talents. The merger between Umsombovu Youth Fund and the Youth Commission also bears testimony to our unequalled determination to putting youth interests at the apex of government agenda.
As the provincial government we are specifically honoured that this year’s celebrations will coincide with the biggest soccer showpiece in the world, the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup. What inspires us even more is the passion and readiness of the people of Limpopo in welcoming our international friends. As always, we know we can rely on the hospitality of the people of Limpopo to make a good impression of our province. We also can say without wavering that our host city, Polokwane, is more than ready to host a world class event. We urge all our young people to cease the opportunities which are presented by the world cup and put the spin-offs to maximum use.
In this year’s celebrations the Youth Commission has line-up a series of memorial lecturers throughout all the four districts of Limpopo to educate our young people about the history and relevance of 16 June. These lecturers will be addressed by various speakers most of whom have a firsthand experience of the activities of June 16.
The highlight of the Youth Month will be the Youth Day celebrations. The objective of this year’s celebration will be to the gains of South Africa’s young democracy and particularly its impact on the lives of our young people. This important event will take place on 16 June in the Capricorn District, at the Seshego stadium.
Together with district municipalities, sector departments and relevant parastatals we continue to advance youth development at a provincial level. We are therefore calling upon all departments and the private sector to work together with the Youth Commission in ensuring that as per our agreement these envisaged programme become a reality.
For more details and programme contact:
Thembi Rhulani Siweya
Cell: 072 879 1418
Tel: 015 287 6658
E-mail: siweyat@premier.limpopo.gov.za
Issue by: Office of the Premier, Limpopo Provincial Government
1 June 2010
