Media statement by Minister in The Presidency, Jeff Radebe at the Inter-Ministerial state of readiness media briefing on the 40th Anniversary of the Soweto uprisings
Ministers,
Deputy Minister,
Mayor of the City of Joburg,
Members of the media,
Ladies and gentleman,
Good afternoon.
Welcome to this media briefing by the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) overseeing preparations for the commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the Soweto Uprisings.
Introduction
The year 2016 marks the 40th anniversary of the June 16 Soweto and other related uprisings. The Soweto uprising ended tragically with hundreds of young people brutally killed by the Apartheid government. Orlando Stadium, where we are gathered today was designated the central meeting point on that day where a major student protest rally had been planned.
En-route to this stadium on 16 June 1976, the students were met with a heavily armed police, who tried to disperse the crowds through teargas and warning shots, then without notice, the police opened live ammunition. It is estimated that no less than 600 students and youth were brutally killed during those uprisings and scores were injured, maimed, imprisoned and tortured.
Thousands had to leave behind their beloved families and friends for exile to join the liberation movements such as the ANC and the PAC as well as their military wings Umkhonto we Sizwe (MK) and the Azania People’s Liberation Army (APLA), to respond to the violence of the then Apartheid system. The democratic government proclaimed this day the National Youth Day in honour of those who lost their lives on this fateful day.
Forty years later young people must help to keep their legacy alive by taking advantage of opportunities to build our country and change their lives. Youth Day recognises and celebrates the role of South African youth in the liberation struggle, while also commemorating the pain and the sacrifices that young people made so that we can all be free from the yoke of racist oppression.
This year’s commemoration is led by the IMC and it is a collaboration between the Department of Arts & Culture and the National Youth Development Agency, with strong support from various other government departments.
Youth Month also coincides with the 20th anniversary of the adoption of our Constitution.
Theme
This year’s National Youth Day is commemorated under the theme, “Youth Moving South Africa forward”. This theme implies an action-oriented approach, surrounded with evidence of actions and initiatives by a broad range of social partners – led by government – that are moving South Africa forward. Furthermore, it is a call to young people to do their part and contribute towards building a united, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous South Africa.
The theme recognizes the role that the youth of South Africa have played and are still playing in taking the country forward and their ability to create a new path for the next 40 years.
Build up events
The Provincial Government of Gauteng is hosting the second Gauteng Career, Jobs and Entrepreneurship Expo at Nasrec, Johannesburg. The expo is currently underway until the 19 of June, except on the 16th of June. 500 000 high school learners from Grade 10 to Grade 12, out-of-school and unemployed youth and graduates from across the province are expected to take part at the expo.
The Department of Military Veterans during this month is organising various direct engagement and dialogues between the June 16 military veterans and the youth as well as media programmes. The Minister of Defence and Military Veterans will in this regard hold a major dialogue at the Nasrec Expo with young people to facilitate an intergenerational conversation on the struggle of the 1976 youth and today’s youth.
This past weekend, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa also hosted a successful Youth Expo in the Northern Cape. The build-up events have seen thousands of young people being exposed to various opportunities that government has to offer.
The youth of 1976 like Hector Petersen, lost their lives while fighting for their rights, and were facing a brutal government, the democratic government is aligned with the aspirations of the youth of today.
Government has made great strides in the provision of good quality education and in the upliftment of young people, however a lot of challenges still remain. Government remains resolute to build further on the gains and strides made to uplift the lives of young people and all South Africans.
Readiness
On Thursday, 16th of June 35 000 young people will fill up the Orlando Stadium in Soweto to commemorate the 40th Anniversary of the Soweto Uprisings. The youth will be represented from various provinces with attendees from, Free State, North West, Mpumalanga and Limpopo with the majority coming from within the Gauteng province. Ten thousand grade 11 and 12 learners from Gauteng province will also attend the event.
Transport has been arranged in the province of Gauteng with 150 buses and 25 minibuses to transport people to the stadium.
Programme
6:30 The programme will commence with the unveiling of Dr M Eldestein plaque in Western Jabavu, led by the City of Johannesburg Mayor, Cllr Parks Tau. Dr Edelstein worked in Soweto and was in the township when the riots began. He was beaten to death by pupils when violence flared up.
7:30 The renaming of Thabethe Street in Orlando West to Mr Hastings Ndlovu to Ndlovu Street led by Premier of Gauteng, David Makhura and the Mayor of Johannesburg.
8:15 The traditional wreath laying ceremony at the Hector Petersen Memorial, which will be led by the Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa. He will be joined by members of the IMC, representatives from the Gauteng provincial government, June 16 foundation, NYDA and most importantly the families of the June 16 tragedy.
9:00 President Jacob Zuma will lead the main event and deliver a keynote address at Orlando Stadium.
Cultural programme
The cultural programme will showcase a variety of musical performances that serve to tell the South African story in all its glory by ‘looking back and looking forward’. The cultural programme is an eclectic journey through decades of South African musical history and the result will be a festival of sound and songs that at different moments have shaped the telling of the South African story and still inspire the nation to greatness.
The artists include gospel musician and inspirational singer, Kholeka, AKA, dubbed the ‘Prince of South African rap’, an award-winning hip-hop artist and influential rapper, Zahara, multi-award winning singer and Dr Malinga among others.
Living musical legend and songbird, jazz musician Abigail Kubeka, will take us down memory lane lest we forget and share the musical traditions of Sophiatown with new audiences. Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, who this year marks 50 years in the music industry will perform alongside Blondie Makhene, the great producer and musical legend, renowned for popularising struggle songs as well as his love songs.
The overall performance will project the vibrancy of youth and contemporary cultural icons as well as celebrate the living legends of South African music who remain influential and whose music have stood the test of time. The acts encompass various genres of music; from gospel, to hip hop, to Afro-pop and kwaito to house. This will be a fitting tribute to the unity-in-diversity of South African music and in honour of the class of 1976 who sacrificed so much for the freedoms and cultural expressions that we now enjoy.
Call to action
For updates on social media follow at @NYDRSA or @GovernmentZA on twitter and the hashtag is #YouthDay2016 and #AreyengOrlandoStadium. Also visit the NYDA website for more details on the 40th commemoration event and events after the national day.
The list of government activities that will be undertaken by various government ministers is also available on the Presidency and government website.
Forty years on, we call on youth to take the lead in conversations that help to bring about solutions to the challenges of poverty, inequality, unemployment, HIV/AIDS, drug abuse and alcoholism.
Government commitment
Government remains committed and reassures all young people that the sacrifices of the youth of 1976 were not in vein. Government has expanded access to education to many young people in basic education and at tertiary education level.
Unlike the June 16 generation young people can study any course they want as long as they qualify. There is no job reservation they have to contend with, nor is there restriction on where they can study and which university they can enrol in. Nor is there restriction of what profession they can pursue, this government has opened the doors of learning which the 1976 generation could only dream of.
This government is spending over R9 billion in NSFAS to support students in post school institutions to ensure poor learners attain education. Many schools in our country are no fee schools, food nutrition is provided to the poor. These are some of the interventions government has made available for the youth of today.
This is not to say this government has achieved all goals in education, and there are still persistent challenges, this government is working hard to change the reality faced by the current youth.
As we mark this 40th anniversary, the youth of today should not forget the sacrifices made for them to be where they are today. As their voice rise pushing for more access to education and opportunities, let them be assured that this government is listening and will continue to listen and respond. The youth of today are future leaders and therefore should be natured.
The class of 1976 played a key role in our struggle – let’s preserve their legacy. Our youth were at the forefront of the fight against apartheid. The Class of 1976 exposed the brutality of the apartheid regime to the world and ignited resistance around the country. Young people must participate in democratic structures and processes like elections. They must volunteer in communities and protect the infrastructure that improves learning. This generation must continue to work towards a society free from racial, social, economic and class barriers.
I thank you!
