The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) strongly condemns the recent spate of attacks on fellow African nationals. We call for calm and for young people who constitute the majority of those perpetrating such attacks to immediately bring an end to the violence and ensure peace and stability prevails.
"We are one continent and one people. We are Human Beings before we are Africans and we are Africans before we are South Africans. To harm a fellow brother or sister is inexcusable and inhumane. Why would we want to hurt our own brothers and sisters?" says NYDA Executive Chairperson, Mr. Yershen Pillay.
"We know that the majority of those perpetrating these crimes are young people. As the Youth we must provide leadership and bring an immediate end to this carnage. It can never be that we allow our country to be dragged into disrepute simply because of some mischievous elements in our society. We know that challenges of job creation, poverty and inequality are frustrating and more should be done to create jobs and provide opportunities but violence to another can never be a solution. Young South Africans must stand up for peace and tolerance. We are the African Youth and We are One," says Pillay.
Many young people are angry and frustrated at the lack of opportunities to break free from poverty and joblessness. Such anger and frustration needs to be channeled into a common strategy for addressing these challenges. Unfortunately young people are vulnerable to agent provocateurs who use their vulnerability to advance their own personal agendas through violence and instability. We strongly condemn the current attacks on African nationals and we call on the youth of South Africa to stand in unity against all forms of crime.
As the NYDA we plan to launch a "One Africa, One Youth" campaign to promote peace, unity and social cohesion amongst the youth in particular. This campaign will spread information and support to young people on the importance of a united and democratic society if we are to advance efforts at socio-economic development. We will use the campaign to mobilise our communities and young people in particular to create awareness around the mutual struggles that we face as a country, continent and people and how best to overcome these by working together as one.
For media enquiries contact:
Siyabonga Magadla
E-mail: Siyabonga.magadla@nyda.gov.za
Mobile: 083 686 9016
Nawhal Kara-Foster
E-mail: Nawhal.kara-foster@nyda.gov.za
Cell: 084 894 2213
