Department celebrates Youth Month inclusively

At a media conference held at its head office on Wednesday, the Department of Culture, Sport and Recreation revealed its plans to celebrate Youth Month in an inclusive way.

Giving priority to local artists, it will host the main event in commemoration of June 16 at Hlalakahle High School under the Dr JS Moroka Municipality in Nkangala District.

“The theme is moving the youth forward, and that is exactly what we aim to do with the programmes we have set aside for this month, said Norah Mahlangu, MEC for culture.

She called on the youth to stop goofing around and start coming up with ideas for her department, which would in turn help them to become entrepreneurs. “We work closely with the National Youth Development Agency to help young people get their businesses off the ground, therefore we encourage them to approach us with ideas and we will spearhead them and help them establish their own businesses,” she added.

According to the department, one of the programmes they intend to zoom in on is the film industry, coupled with the talents young people have in fashion.
“As part of the Expanded Public Works Programme, the department will send 10 young people to attend Art meets Fashion at Constitution Hill, Johannesburg. I am pleased to inform you that some of the participants are here today to exhibit their work,” she said.

Clash of the Choirs Team Mpumalanga will also be among the local artists performing at the main event on June 16. “We will give them the support they need just as we did with the SA Idols contestants – we want to see them flying the Mpumalanga banner high,” said Sipho Gana, general manager of cultural affairs.