Unicorn kids celebrate youth

Three Unicorn preparatory learners, Hloni Mangena (Grade 7), Emma Dalrymple-Hay (Grade 7) and Danish Saleem (Grade 7) were quick to answer.

The first question was what, according to the children, Youth Day is all about.

Hloni Mangena feels it is a day where South Africa celebrates its youth.

Emma Dalrymple-Hay feels the same and Danish Saleem sees Youth Day as a holiday to celebrate people under the age of 18 and their freedom of racial differences.

The kids were next asked if they had a personal hero or roll model under the age of 18.

Hloni and Emaa both responded that their youthful hero is Imke Geldenhuys, while Danish sees his friends as his heroes.

What change would the kids most like to see in the name of the youth of our country? Hloni says on the news there is a lot of talk about how destructive the youth are.

They have a disregard for our history and they are destroying and vandalizing our historic past without thinking twice.

She would like to see the youth being more civilized.

Emma feels too many children make use of technology and lose focus of what’s happening in the real world and all the places there are to explore.

Danish agrees and he wants to see the youth interact more in real life rather than on cellphones.

Drugs are becoming a massive problem in our country amongst the youth.

The kids were asked whether they think this is something we should be worried about in our town?

Hloni isn’t worried, she told the Herald that Tzaneen is a small town and there isn’t much exposure to such things, unlike Johannesburg.

Emma agreed with Hloni and added that most of the people in our community are very aware of drugs.

Danish disagrees and feels that this is a problem that needs to be addressed.

What can parents do to prevent drug use?

Hloni feels that parents can talk to their children about drugs and make them aware of all the dangers, in this way when children are confronted with drugs they will be informed and will not conform to peer pressure.

Emma also feels talking is the answer and told the Herald that all parents can really do, is to tell their children about drugs and warn them about the effects drugs can have.

Danish also feels that parents can inform their children about the negatives and the consequences of drug abuse.

The kids were given a choice as to where they would celebrate Youth Day if they could pick. Hloni and Emma picked Durban, while Danish prefers Cape Town.

Next the kids were asked what other activities for the youth the would like to see added to Tzaneen.

Hloni and Emma and Danish had no suggestions and are happy with the current youth activities in town, while Emma added that all kids go to school and participate in sport. Children these days are always busy.

Finally the kids were asked at what age they think a person can be considered as old.

Hloni thinks that according to the government it is 18 but to me it depends on the person’s heart.

You can be the oldest person in the world but still have a young heart.

Emma doesn’t think a person ever gets old, unless they believe they are old.

She feels that even if you have wrinkles you can still have a young soul and be young at heart.

Danish feels that a person is old at the age of 30.

He says at that age you are not that young anymore and can take care of yourself.