ago
29 May 2006
We are the future and nothing can stop us!
This was the phrase coined at the unveiling of the national and provincial
programme to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the 16 June 1976 uprisings in
Soweto today.
The event was held at the Morris Isaacson High School in White City, where
the uprising started 30 years ago leaving many students injured or killed in a
fight against inequality and the apartheid regime.
The launch of the Youth Month programme was attended by the Minister in the
Presidency Essop Pahad, the Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation
Barbara Creecy, Johannesburg mayor Amos Masondo and the chairperson of the
National Youth Commission Jabu Mbalula.
Minister Pahad said the school is one of a few in the country with such a
proud heritage and the students of the school made a remarkable contribution in
the fight against racism and apartheid.
"They made a decision to fight for liberation and freedom that was more
important than their lives, but today is better than yesterday. Tomorrow will
be better than today. The future has never looked brighter for our youth," said
Pahad.
The opening and welcome of the proceedings was done by the principal of
Morris Isaacson High School, Elias Mashile.
"This school was chosen for the role that it played in the 1976 uprisings.
More important today is the role it will play in the future generations to
enable them to relate to the events of 30 years ago," said Mashile.
The school was the starting point of what was to be a watershed in the
history of struggles waged by generations of leaders of the liberation movement
in the country for a free and democratic South Africa.
Through the years the school had gone through great strides to keep the
memory alive of the students who made a choice to stand up to the government
and fight for what they believed in, which was equality and the right to a free
society.
"The school plays a pivotal role in the youth development of the country,"
said Mashile.
Mayor Masondo said the youth is the most important component of growth and
development in the country and should be nurtured to become the leaders of
tomorrow.
"Growth will not be possible unless young people and skills development are
not involved. It will enable government to address the complex issues the youth
are dealing with today, which is different from 30 years ago," said
Masondo.
He urged the youth to attend the launch of the Youth and Development
Strategy later this month and participate in the various implementation phases
that will follow.
The Youth Month programme which will run from today until the end of June,
includes various activities hosted by national and provincial government
departments all over the country. The theme for the month-long programme is
"Age of Hope: Deepening youth participation in development".
The major provincial event will be the celebration on 16 June at the First
National Bank (FNB) Stadium in Soweto, where President Thabo Mbeki is expected
to deliver the keynote address. Other events include a provincial youth summit
hosted by the provincial Department of Social Development, a youth imbizo held
by the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, school visits by the
Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Environment and a youth indaba held
by the Department of Housing.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government
29 May 2006
Source: SAPA
