Assembly Message – Youth Day (11 June 2007)

This Saturday, the 16th of June is national Youth Day. On Youth Day we celebrate the heroic actions of young people who took to the streets of Johannesburg in protest of an oppressive system of government 31 years ago, in 1976.

In the face of apartheid's brutality, these learners joined together, voiced their unhappiness and set in motion the march towards the freedom which we finally received in 1994.
The struggle for freedom was fought by students, parents, teachers, workers and the broader community, who supported the students in their demand for a political voice. Armed with placards, a strong will and determination, they fought the might of armed police and soldiers.
It is so important that in remembering what happened 31 years ago, we continue to celebrate our freedom and reflect on how far we have come as young South Africans in reversing the damage caused by apartheid. I want to urge you as the future of South Africa, as our future leaders, politicians, educators and business men and women, let us rededicate ourselves to the achievement of the democratic ideals which the youth of 1976 stood up for. Let us be as strong willed and as determined to stand up for what we believe in. Let us stand united, peacefully and whole-heartedly against the evils in our society, in our homes, on our playgrounds and in our hearts. Florida Primary learners, the South Africa we live in today is still the beautiful land it has always been, but is littered poverty, crime, racism and violence. In 1976 South Africans just like you and me fought extremely hard for the democratic education that we receive today. Your education and your democracy is you right, a right that thousands of people suffered for. Our rights give us wonderful opportunities which will become powerful tools that will serve us our whole lives. But with this great power, we must remember the great responsibilities, to serve ourselves, our country, our parents, and most of all the democracy for which we fought so hard.