logo
Youth Day empowering the future

Youth Day empowering the future

The Citizen16-06-2025
In South Africa, Youth Day is observed to honour the Soweto Uprising, which took place on June 16, 1976, and was a turning point in the fight against apartheid.
Tragic deaths on that particular day resulted from students protesting against the government's policy of Afrikaans being taught in schools. Youth Day serves as a reminder of the courage and sacrifice made by young people in the struggle for freedom.
Caxton West Rand's intern Itumeleng Molefe spoke to a few young people to find out how they celebrate Youth Day and what it means to them.
Luyanda Thabiso Mzobe:
'I celebrate by engaging in voluntary work, such as community clean-up projects, tree planting or helping at local shelters, to foster a sense of unity and responsibility.'
Amahle Ndabankhulo:
'I partake in workshops and competitions to promote youth awareness, empowerment and development. Youth Day to me represents the potential and determination the youth have.'
Thembokuhle Gumede:
'As a young teacher, our school holds speeches and sports events to commemorate Youth Day and promote unity and social awareness among learners.'
Thato Tsokodibane:
'This day reflects on the bravery and sacrifices of the young people who fought against apartheid, particularly the imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in schools.'
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

The Legacy lives on: Why today's climate fight needs youth at the centre
The Legacy lives on: Why today's climate fight needs youth at the centre

IOL News

time9 hours ago

  • IOL News

The Legacy lives on: Why today's climate fight needs youth at the centre

Deputy President Paul Mashatile emphasised the imperative of empowering youth to lead economic and social transformation. Image: SIGCINIWE Speaking at the G20 High Level Intergeneration Dialogue in Sandton last Friday, Deputy President Paul Mashatile emphasised the imperative of empowering youth to lead economic and social transformation and to be at the core of the global engagement on the future of the society they will inherit – It was warming. We have observed the month-long sacrament called youth month in South Africa by bemoaning our challenges and celebrating our youth heroes and trailblazers. Now that the elders have once again temporarily remembered the youth of 76 we must not cast our eyes off the existential global crisis - the climate crisis. South Africa's energy transition is both a national imperative and a strategic opportunity for youth empowerment. The convergence of youth unemployment, skills shortages, and infrastructure challenges makes it critical to invest in human capital development for sustainable energy systems. Demonstrated since the Soweto Uprising of 1976, to today's climate action litigation in the highest courts, South Africa's youth have always been at the forefront of transformational change. Today, as we confront climate change, a defining challenge of our time, it is once again young people who must step up with courage, clarity, and conviction. Many young people are demanding action to address climate change. They recognise that current policies and targets fall short of what is needed to secure their future. These young activists use traditional and innovative methods to build momentum and advocate for change. Litigation is one method they use to hold polluting industries and governments accountable. In December 2024, the power of the youth was exhibited not through protest, but through litigation. In a landmark judgment, in favour of the #CancelCoal campaign, the country's first youth-led constitutional climate case. The campaign, led by African Climate Alliance, Vukani Environmental Justice Movement, and groundWork, challenged the inclusion of 1 500MW of new coal-fired power in the 2019 Integrated Resource Plan. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The court agreed that the plan violated several constitutional rights, including the right to an environment that is not harmful to health or wellbeing, especially for children. Moments like this highlight that youth participation is not symbolic. It is dynamic. It's deliberate. And it is critical for achieving an inclusive just transition. A just transition must put youth as co-creators of the sustainable future. Our energy transition is both a national imperative and a strategic opportunity for youth empowerment. The convergence of youth unemployment, skills shortages, and infrastructure challenges makes it critical to invest in human capital development for sustainable energy systems. According to the Statistics South Africa 2024 Mid-year Population Estimates, 21 million young people account for 33.1% of the country's population, underscoring their significant role in shaping the nation's social and economic landscape. It is the youth who will inherit the long-term consequences of today's climate decisions. That is why it is essential that young people are present in decision-making spaces and equipped with the tools, information, and platforms necessary to meaningfully participate in building a resilient and just South Africa. Although there has been progress in including the youth in climate action discussions, their inclusion does not mean parity. The youth are often under-equipped when entering the webinars, the negotiations rooms, and the public dialogues where the language is technical and unfamiliar, yet it is about their future. Many ask: 'Do I know enough to speak here?' That is why we must start from the ground up- from school syllabuses to multidisciplinary curricula in law, public health, built environment and many other disciplines. Deliberate steps must be taken to dismantle the barriers that prevent young people from meaningfully engaging in climate action. This means investing in funding youth participation, access to information, peer-learning, international exchange to sharpen their prowess in decision-making Youth are both disproportionately affected by the negative impacts of the climate crisis and uniquely positioned to drive transformative solutions. However, limited access to technical education, practical experience, and entrepreneurial pathways hinders meaningful participation It is a welcome development that the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) has established the Youth Leaders Caucus, rallying a diversity of young who offer perspectives across sectors on climate action and the just transition. While we appreciate the PCC's gesture and goodwill, we still need to be present in frontiers of climate action and the shaping of a new development paradigm in a future net-zero economy and society. If we are serious about climate action, all of society must move beyond superficial consultation, and embrace the procedural values underpinning our country's Just Transition Framework (JTF) through co-creation of climate action with and for the youth. Next year when we mark half a century of the 1976 generation, we must gather not to protest, but to celebrate increased youth participation in South Africa's just energy transition - otherwise like we did in 1974 against Afrikaans, we will lead the charge against the exclusive language of 'climate action' Ayakha Melithafa, Commissioner of the Presidential Youth Commission and Founder of Ayakha Melithafa Foundation Image: Supplied Ayakha Melithafa, Commissioner of the Presidential Youth Commission and Founder of Ayakha Melithafa Foundation *** The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Independent Media or IOL. BUSINESS REPORT

Ghana solar success shared in pan-African economic initiative
Ghana solar success shared in pan-African economic initiative

The Citizen

time3 days ago

  • The Citizen

Ghana solar success shared in pan-African economic initiative

A visit to a solar energy project on a Ghanaian island on Tuesday, June 17, marked the end of the first module of economic inclusivity in an initiative organised by the governments of three African states. According to the Office of the Premier's spokesperson, George Mthethwa, 45 participants representing government leaders, public servants and academics from South Africa, Kenya and Ghana attended the first module, with a focus on fostering regional trade, innovation in digital technology, good governance and sustainable energy. 'The participants toured a solar power facility installed for the small community of the island. 156 solar panels were installed with the support of World Bank in 2017 to supply power to households,' Mthethwa said. He said the Ghanaian government emphasised that this has drastically improved the quality of life of the island community, whose survival is dependant on fishing. The project has prompted the construction of new health and education facilities and is attracting professionals to the island to provide essential services. ALSO READ: WATCH: Illegal gambling machines destroyed in Mpumalanga The Mpumalanga MEC for finance, Bonakele Majuba, led the provincial delegation. The visit to the solar energy facility is said to be key to Mpumalanga's exploration of the energy mix, to meet the high demand for power generation. ALSO READ: Mangweni youth plead for jobs from provincial government Since June 16, the participants have engaged in various activities of the first module in pursuit of economic inclusivity. 'The last two modules will take place in South Africa and Kenya before the end of October 2025,' said Mthethwa. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

Malema vows to build houses for families of KZN bus crash victims
Malema vows to build houses for families of KZN bus crash victims

The Herald

time23-06-2025

  • The Herald

Malema vows to build houses for families of KZN bus crash victims

EFF leader Julius Malema has committed to building houses and boreholes for the families of 10 party members who died in a bus crash last week while returning from a Youth Day rally in Durban. Malema addressed the mass funeral service in Vryheid on Sunday. 'We are going to honour these 10 fallen heroes, each one of them with a house that has all the facilities,' he said. 'If there's no water in those yards, we'll make sure we put [in] boreholes so we restore the dignity of those families. We will build those houses and put [in] those boreholes because we want to build a permanent relationship with these families. We don't want to forget you and don't forget us.' He assured the families they are not alone. 'Your loss is our loss. Your tears are our tears. Your children are not forgotten. The EFF will walk with you, we will support you and we will continue to fight in their name. 'As the EFF, we say their death must not be in vain. Their passing must become a turning point. We must honour them not only with flowers and words but with action. We must fix our roads, regulate the transport industry and demand accountability.' The accident happened on June 17 when the group was returning from the rally. A bus carrying EFF supporters collided with a truck on the R34 near Vryheid. Malema described the members who died as 'soldiers', drawing a parallel to the youth of 1976 who died for freedom. 'These are not just names in headlines or numbers in a report. These were young people who had dreams. They were full of life, full of promise and full of courage that defines the children of working-class and oppressed families. They died while in pursuit of life. They were travelling with hope in their hearts, but the journey that should've taken them towards opportunity ended in tragedy.' He said their parents should be proud that their children did not die from drug or alcohol abuse but on the 'battlefield'. 'Your children are soldiers; they are martyrs and the names of your children will be called when the names of the martyrs are called. Be proud that your children have inspired many generations to come.' TimesLIVE

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store