18 June 2006
In memory of the spirit of, 16 June 1976 and Youth Month, the Limpopo
Legislature will commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Soweto Uprisings by
hosting a Youth Parliament at Shingwedzi Multipurpose Centre in Malamulele,
Vhembe District on Friday, 23 June 2006.
Ms Florence Masakona, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Quality of
Life, Status of Women, Youth and Disabled People has conceded that this yearâs
Youth Parliament will be a milestone event. She says more than 600 youth from
all persuasions, background and the whole province, will descend on Malamulele
for what will be a memorable parliament of their own. âWe are not going to do
anything, except watch them in action,â she says.
Youth will be guided by a theme that says; âAge of Hope, deepening youth
participation in developmentâ. Through this theme, they will debate issues
ranging from;
* youth and unemployment
* further education
* HIV/AIDS and the youths and
* Youth and arts and other contemporary issues.
Ms Masakona has also reiterated that before their debates and resolutions,
the youth will also look at last yearâs resolutions and how their quests were
resolved by different institutions. âAfter Fridayâs sitting, the resolutions,
just like those of any parliament will be channelled through the Portfolio
Committee and thereafter taken to the Legislature for adoption. The adoption
means they are taken very seriously and thereafter forwarded to the executive
council for implementation by different departments,â says Ms Masakona.
The Speaker of the Limpopo Legislature, Dr Tshenuwani Farisani also added
his voice and said the challenges for todayâs youth are enormous. He said their
world differs by millions of miles to that of the class of â76. âTodayâs enemy
is not visible like in 1976 and the 80s. The enemy tortures you slowly and your
body succumbs to deathâ, he said talking of AIDS/HIV. He challenged the youth
to take their parliament very seriously, because it shapes their future.
Enquiries:
Speakerâs Office, Limpopo Provincial Legislature
Kenny Mathivha
Cell: 082 450 1331
Tel: (015) 633 8655/8639
Issued by: Limpopo Legislature, Limpopo Provincial Government
18 June 2006
