VOX POP: What does Youth Day mean to the youth of Mbombela?
VOX POP: What does Youth Day mean to the youth of Mbombela?
Youth Day, celebrated annually on June 16, commemorates the 1976 Soweto Uprising, when thousands of learners marched to protest the government's directive to use Afrikaans as a medium of instruction.
As the country observes Youth Month, Mpumalanga News intern reporters Emanuel Majola and Monicca Mthembu spoke to some young people to find out what Youth Day means to them. Here is what they had to say:
Irvin Mbuyane: Youth Day to me means a time of freedom. It honours the heroes who fought for the rights of the youth and celebrates their contribution in the fight against apartheid.
Shenator Masango: Youth Day is a tribute to the bravery of the 1976 learners who fought for freedom and equal education. It reminds us of the power of young people to drive change and challenges us to support and uplift today's youth for a better future.
Nthabiseng Phaahla: Youth Day to me represents the vibrant energy, creativity and passion of young people driving change and shaping the future. It's a celebration of our potential, resilience and determination to build a better world.
Nombulelo Mnisi: Youth Day represents a time of discovery and growth. It is the stage in my life where I am learning about who I am, what I value, and where I want to go. While it's filled with energy, dreams and the courage to take risks, Youth Day is also a time of challenges, because I am still figuring things out. That struggle helps me grow stronger.
Naomi Mojela: Youth Day to me represents a time where everything feels new, without the old-time struggles. New emotions, ideas, friendships and dreams, with no limitations. It's the stage where I begin to understand who I am and who I want to be.
Eric Nkosi: According to me, June 16 is a day when young people can raise their concerns and their wishes to the government. The youth of today should know the importance of peace, happiness, unity and love for one another as brother and sister.
Jessica Maphanga: Youth Day to all of us should be a day when we honour the lives of those who fought for young people, especially in education. People must not take this day lightly as it gave us the right to be taught in a language we understand. I can not imagine where we would be if the generation of Hector Pieterson did not fight for us.
Nelisiwe Mdhluli: Students marched and fought in Soweto for our rights. The day reminds us that we should not take education lightly, as our brothers and sisters gave their lives for us to have the education we are enjoying today.
Tebogo Mashego: The youth of 1976 fought for freedom in education. As the youth of today, we benefit from the education but still continue to fight for unemployment, inequality and poverty. The youth of today should be empowered with skills development and fight the issue of unemployment the same way activists like Hector Pieterson did.
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