13 June 2006
On national Youth Day this Friday, 16 June, we will honour and remember the
heroic actions of the young people who took to the streets to stage a peaceful
protest against an oppressive system of government 30 years ago, on 16 June
1976.
In the face of apartheid's brutality, they voiced their discontent and that
of their communities, setting in motion an irreversible march towards the
freedom we finally ushered in in 1994.
The struggle for liberation was a collective effort of students, parents,
teachers, workers and the broader community to fight an oppressive system. The
community rallied behind the students and actively supported their broader
demand for a political voice. Armed with little more than their placards, they
fought the might of armed police and soldiers.
While remembering and honouring past heroes, we will also on the occasion of
the 30th anniversary of 16 June reflect on the strides we have made together
with young people in reversing apartheid's legacy and in addressing the
developmental needs of young people. Together with today's youth we rededicate
ourselves to the achievement of the democratic ideals which the youth of 1976
stood for.
This year's theme for the commemoration which is being organised jointly by
the national government, National Youth Commission, Gauteng Provincial
Government, City of Johannesburg and June 16 Foundation is "Age of Hope:
Deepening Youth Participation in Development."
The event on Friday will retrace the steps of one of the heroic student
marches on 16 June 1976. We will start at Morris Isaacson High School where the
Mayor of Johannesburg, Mr Amos Masondo, will name the park built across the
road from the school by 50 young people and 50 veterans to remember the heroic
youth of 1976.
At 8h00 the President together with other VIPs including Ministers, the
Premier and MECs will lead a march from Morris Isaacson High to the Hector
Pieterson Memorial. The march will follow the same route taken by students on
that historic day and stop for a moment of silence at Mofolo Bridge at 9h00,
where students were addressed by the late student leader Tsietsi Mashinini.
From there the march will proceed to the Hector Pieterson Memorial where the
President and other dignitaries will lay wreaths. A member of the June 16
Foundation will speak at the memorial. We will then join the rally at FNB
stadium (Soccer City) where over 60 000 people from all parts of the province
and country will gather to hear a keynote address from President Thabo
Mbeki.
The media is requested to meet at FNB stadium at 6h00 to catch a bus to
Morris Isaacson. No media will be allowed to park at Morris Isaacson or at
Hector Pieterson. The bus leaves at 6h30 in time for the proceedings to start
at 7h00. Only accredited media will be allowed to be part of the
activities.
Media will be allowed onto the pitch only after the conclusion of the
military programme which runs until 12h00.
Accreditation will be issued from 12 to 15 June between 9h00 and 16h00 at
the Johannesburg Metropolitan Centre, first floor, 158 Loveday Street
Extension, Braamfontein.
On Youth Day media will be allocated parking at Gate H at the FNB
stadium.
For more information contact:
Annette Griessel
Tel: (011) 355 6859
Cell: 082 563 3614
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government
13 June 2006
