The sheer volume of youth in attendance at Sauer Park stadium in Aliwal North for the Youth Day Celebrations bears testimony to the seriousness the youth of this country take the events of that fateful day in 16 June 1976 were hundreds of students took to the streets to voice their objection to apartheid laws that served to imprison black minds.
Aliwal North was abuzz with activity with thousands of Aliwal North youth making their way to the stadium to pay homage and respect to those who made it possible for many of today’s youth to believe in the audacity of hope and equal opportunity.
“Today we remember the youth of 1976 because the only reward they can expect for their sacrifices is that those of us who live must never forget,” said Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet. She was addressing a crowd of more than 5000 people that came from the entire Eastern Cape district municipalities.
Premier Kiviet noted the difficulty the youth of this country have in getting employment but the government was well aware of that fact and there are strategic programmes in place to address the issue.
“The provincial government has announced a Provincial Strategic Framework (PSF) which contains a Programme of Action (PoA) for the current term of government which requires that we must roll our sleeves and work together to fully realise its objective.
We will employ 1 000 young people as part of the National Youth Service (NYS) in order to ensure that unemployed youth is utilised in the maintenance of public assets such as clinics and hospitals,” said Kiviet. The National Youth Service is to be linked with the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) to accelerate job creation.
Driving the point home of youth participation in government driven programmes the Department of Social Development MEC Nonkosi Mvana gave a cheque for R18 million to youth development programmes in the province. The gesture received a big applause from the thousands of youths in attendance.
Premier Noxolo Kiviet said the provincial government was committed to the promotion of entrepreneurial development as it provides a strategic opportunity for young people to engage themselves in highly productive activities.
The allure of crime and the continued rise of HIV and AIDS infection among the youth are the two primary concerns the provincial government aims to deal with head on.
“We call upon the youth to understand the seriousness of HIV and AIDS, to declare war on HIV and AIDS and to refuse to be killed by this disease through acting responsibly which includes condomising and testing,” Kiviet said.
In helping the youth realise their true potential the Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet announced the launch of the National Youth Development Agency, a merger between the National Youth Commission (NYC) and the Umsobomvu Youth Fund.
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Eastern Cape Provincial Government
18 June 2009
Source: Office of the Premier, Eastern Cape Provincial Government (http://www.ecprov.gov.za)
