The streets of Soweto look set to be filled with throngs of young people fully-clad in their school uniforms come June 16.
Thousands of South Africans are expected to participate in the different festivities, including the June 16 Memorial March - Walk for Freedom. This as the country marks Youth Day and honours the spirit of the brave Class of 1976.
The walk is scheduled to start from Morris Isaacson High and proceed to Phefeni Junior Secondary School. It will be led by Gauteng Premier, David Makhura; Gauteng Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC, Molebatsi Bopape and the City of Johannesburg’s Mayor, Parks Tau, in partnership with Metro FM.
This year’s festivities will be held under the theme:
Youth Celebrating 20 Years of Freedom and Democracy – Together Contributing Towards a Unified and Prosperous South Africa.
The Youth Day programme will commence with the wreath-laying ceremony at the Hector Pieterson Memorial at 07h00, followed by the unveiling of the June 16 Youth Acre and launch of the Garden of Hope (at the Acre) next to Morris Isaacson before the commencement of the walk.
En-route to Phefeni Secondary the walk will briefly stop at the bridge in Mofolo in remembrance of the speech delivered by Tsietsi Mashinini while at the top thereof. The walk will then proceed to Phefeni Secondary for the Candlelight Memorial and launch of a free Wi-fi at the school.
Subsequently, all roads will lead to Mofolo Park where Premier Makhura will deliver the Youth Day message before a music cultural programme, featuring the likes of Uhuru, Trompies, Casper Nyovest and others.
There will also be an array of exhibitors offering advice and services on health, education, funding opportunities and others.
Members of the media are cordially invited to the event as diarised below:
Event: Gauteng Youth Day programme
Date: Monday, 16 June 2014
Venue: Start at Hector Pieterson Memorial Precinct, Orlando West
Time: 06h30
