Organisations unite to celebrate Youth Day
The event saw various guest speakers open up about their lives to encourage the youth to refrain from activities that could ruin their future.
The SAPS and other roleplayers, including the Department of Social Development, the EMPD and the Bophelong Empilweni Community Project, held a Youth Day celebration at the Rabasotho Community Centre on June 20.
The event saw various guest speakers open up about their lives to encourage the youth to refrain from activities that could ruin their future.
Njabulo Sibeko said the SAPS arrested him for rape in 2014.
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“I was a 17-year-old learner at the time. I was sentenced in 2017. I was falsely accused of rape by those close to me.
“Traveling from prison to prison, I learnt that prison is never a good place. It affects every aspect of your life.
“I encourage the youth to do away with crime. Although arrested for something I never did, I learnt a lot from being in prison.”
Katlego Montso spoke about his journey through addiction.
“I grew up troubling my father from my teenage years. It came to the stage where my family would lock everything away to stop me from stealing.
“I chose to go live on the streets until my father took me to rehab. I attended my first rehab program at age 11,” he said.
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He urged the youth to stay away from drugs.
Maphuti Williams from the Gauteng Department of Education said there are many issues youth must face.
“We are concerned about crime, substance abuse, and other things that ruin the progress of the youth.
“Learners must have discipline to prevail. We must collaborate with the community because all these things originate from the community they are part of,” said Williams.
