As President Zuma commemorated the deaths of hundreds of Soweto schoolchildren, who lost their lives in the struggle against Apartheid and Bantu Education in 1976, He sent the crowd into frenzy, when he ascended the podium and chanted his trademark Uumshini wam song. As he danced, masses of youth at the stadium danced along with him.
President Jacob Zuma praised the youth of 1976 for taking part in the struggle in an organised manner and also praised former President Nelson Mandela's role in organising the youth in the country. Madiba helped to establish the ANC Youth League.
“Madiba is one of those who initiated a political organisation of the youth into a powerful formation which enable the youth to take part in the struggle, in the most organised manner in this country. The youth was able thereafter to influence the political ideas, strategies and tactics of this country.” Next month, we will celebrate Mandela's 91 birthday, our icon, which remains a beacon of hope and inspiration to the youth, he added.
Zuma was addressing young people at the Huntersfield Stadium in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, during 16 June Youth Day celebrations and he was also launching the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), the result of a merger of the National Youth Commission and the Umsobomvu Youth Fund, which was established to promote youth development issues.
“We have prioritised education over the next five years, therefore the creation of an environment which promotes skills development, and economic participation of youth will be one of the primary tasks of the ANC. “We all expect the agency to assist in promoting youth participation in democratic processes, community and civic decision-making and development at all levels,” Zuma said. He said the government had the responsibility “to create an environment where our young people can extricate themselves from poverty and build successful lives”. “On this day we reaffirm that we have heard the voices of youth in distress. We are aware of unemployed youths, those in conflict with the law, those in abject poverty and those who seek assistance in our townships and rural villages.
Issued by: Department of Housing, Gauteng Provincial Government
17 June 2009
Source: Department of Housing, Gauteng Provincial Government (http://www.housing.gpg.gov.za/)
