Every year Youth Day recognises and celebrates the role of South African youth in the liberation struggle, while also commemorating the sacrifices young people made to break the back of racist oppression. This year the anniversary of the uprising will be commemorated under the theme ‘Youth Moving South Africa Forward’.
Zuma said in a statement: “Youth Day remains one of the important occasions in the South African calendar as the country reflects on the conscious sacrifices and resilience of our young people, who displayed incredible courage and determination to liberate themselves and the country from the callous apartheid regime.
“This is a day that was to significantly change the socio-political landscape of the country and the course of South African history, as it widely drew the attention of the international community and paved the way to democracy.”
The whole month of June 1976 marked a decisive turning point in the history of the struggle for the liberation of Southern Africa, as droves of young people from the ranks of liberation movements in exile and in the armed struggle to free their countries from colonisation and apartheid.
Zuma said this year’s commemoration is important as it marks the 40th anniversary of the remarkable day and also coincides with the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the country’s internationally acclaimed Constitution — the supreme law of the land, which was signed into law in May 1996.
“As South Africa, today enjoys the fruits of democracy, we call on our youth from all races to emulate the bravery, resilience and discipline displayed by the fearless youth of 1976 and work together to move South Africa forward and ensure that it becomes a true non-racial, non-sexist and prosperous democratic country,” he said.
Government has put the plight of young people at the centre of its policies and programmes to ensure that it swiftly addresses the challenges faced by the youth. Zumba also called on young people to use education and opportunities afforded to them to change their lives and their communities.
He appealed to young people to be responsible, disciplined and patriotic citizens and desist from any actions that could destroy their future, particularly drugs, crime and violence.
