Conference sees youth march against GBVF

Benoni City Times intern Siphokuhle Mpanza was a guest speaker.

June 27, 2024

Siphokuhle Mpanza 1 minute read

Over 500 youngsters from the Diocese of Zululand attended the annual Youth Conference at Sinethezekile Combined School in Jozini from June 14 to 16.

An event highlight was a march by the 562-strong group of youngsters through the streets to spread awareness about femicide and GBV.

Ndumiso Mchunu, the diocesan youth president, expressed excitement at the march’s success, saying it takes one community at a time to put an end to these forms of women and child abuse.

The youth flocked to the streets of Jozini as much as the Soweto youth of 1976.

“We are building young people in our diocese to be advocates of anti-GBV and femicide. Involving youngsters will put an end to the rife violence against women and children, hence securing the church’s future and, ultimately, the communities they come from,” said Mchunu.

The youth took to the streets in school uniforms, brandishing banners supporting their message and singing vibrant songs emphasising the importance of protecting each other.

The anti-GBV march was led by Zululand youngsters.

Reverend Malibongwe Buthelezi said a prayer.

Traffic officers and clergy monitored the march proceedings through the streets of Jozini. Among the young people present was Benoni City Times intern Siphokuhle Mpanza, one of the conference speakers.

Siphokuhle Mpanza was one of the conference speakers.

He discussed being young and informed – academically and beyond books.

“While some may see June 16, Youth Day, as celebrating a massacre, we, the youth, source inspiration and empowerment to be educated while remembering the efforts of those who lost their lives in the struggle education faced at the time.

“It was heartwarming to see the church’s commitment to community involvement and putting love into action by donating 20 pairs of school shoes to a school and shoes to the Masinakekelane NPO,” Mpanza said.