LEADER of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, Seth Mazibuko, is on a mission to encourage the young generation to become honest future leaders.
Mazibuko recently hosted a workshop entitled “Gathering Stones” which was attended by various school’s Representative Council of Learners (RCL) members and teachers at Durban High School recently. According to Mazibuko, the aim of the workshop was to inspire the students to become leaders of purpose – to reflect upon the role played and to be played by youth and student leadership in the South African sphere, and to discuss decisions and future development.
“The days of throwing stones are over, you should be gathering stones. I don’t expect anyone of the youth to be still throwing stones. You, as future leaders need to realize how you are going to gather stones as a generation to create a better future for generations that come after you by using your moral values, educating yourselves and being informed about the struggles of the past, so that you are able to lead without greed and corruption. The time has come to gather stones. It is time to choose change and face the challenges of change by using your heads, your hearts and your hands,” he said.
The workshop saw the learners and their teachers gather into mixed groups to discuss a potential solution to the issues facing South Africa at present. Sparking conversation, debate and agreement, the students were tasked to provide feedback on their discussions and present what they thought to be a potential solution. Some of the responses included young people using moral regeneration and instilling within themselves self-respect for themselves and others, developing a new education system, changing the mind-set of youngsters to think about the people and not the profits, and to work hard for what they want.
Mazibuko who was the youngest member of the Student Action Committee that planned and led the Soweto uprising, was imprisoned for 11 months in Braamfontein before being sent to Robben Island for a further seven years – the youngest political prisoner at the time.
