A day for youth to learn their views matter

Every year Youth Day is celebrated on 16 June, and all over South Africa the Soweto uprising of 1976 is commemorated.

This year the theme is “Skills for the changing world, empowering youth for meaningful economic participation”, which calls on us to build on our proud legacy as South Africans and to prepare our young people for the evolving demands of the global economy.

On the West Coast young people of different ages shared their insights and thoughts about what this memorable day and month means to them.

Matthew Dreyden (21) from Velddrif said Youth Day is a reminder that young people have the power to bring about change and also serves as a motivation for him to also make a difference in society. When it comes to how the youth can help shape the future of South Africa Dreyden said it can be done by showing leadership, pursuing dreams, and building solutions, not just criticising.

“Young people can shape the future of South Africa by being actively involved, bringing solutions and not just being part of the problem, but part of the outcome.”

Wendy Madlala (25) from Vredenburg, who is also the deputy chairperson of the Gender Based Violence and Femicide committee at West Coast College, said Youth Month means a lot to her as she saw it as a month of empowerment for the youth. “It is a day where they are reminded they are bigger and greater than they think and anything is possible if we stand together as the youth of South Africa, as we are the future of our country.”

Overall Mia Liebenberg (18) from Langebaan said it is important to celebrate the youth as everyone has everyone has their own culture and views on life. “Youth Day makes the youth feel that their opinions and views are also important and that the youth are noticed. It also makes the youth feel that they can make a difference in society.”

In the eyes of Grade 11 learner Ethan Fakier from Vredenburg High School, celebrating the day can bring people closer. He believes that young people should not break each other down and rather help one another in showing kindness, respect, love and forgiveness.

It is clear that the many young people in the West Coast believe in celebrating Youth Day and want to see all youth succeed.