VANDERBIJLPARK. – Vaal University of Technology (VUT) commemorated Youth Day by honouring the Class of 1976 and upholding their legacy.
The university celebrated the day by discussing and seeking solutions to critical challenges faced by today’s youth. During Youth Month, South Africans are reminded of the unwavering determination of the youth who fought for freedom, justice, equality, and quality education.
The event took place at the Desmond Tutu Great Hall at Vaal University of Technology.
On June 16, 1976, the youth of South Africa made their voices heard and stood up for the dream of a better future. This event served as a platform to discuss critical challenges, share success stories, and reflect on experiences that have shaped society since the dawn of democracy 30 years ago. The Department of Sport, Arts, Culture, and Recreation also participated in the event.
Several speakers were present, including Dr Muntuwenkosi Chili, Jacob Thamaga, Zakes Nhlungwan, Dr Tebogo J Rakgogo, the HOD of Applied Languages at TUT, Tebogo Bojabotseha, Lebeko Maenetja from the Department of Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation, Dr Sally Maepa, and Vido Kungune. The commemoration took place on June 14, 2024, as the actual Youth Day is a public holiday.
One of the speakers, Semakaleng Moeketsi emphasised the importance of remembering the sacrifices made by those who came before, highlighting the struggle for language rights. She praised the institution for allowing students to express themselves in their native languages, a freedom denied in the past.
A panel discussion covered topics such as curriculum transformation, the role of indigenous languages after 30 years of democracy, access and inclusivity in higher education, and the implementation of a multilingual language policy. The event also featured performances by the ‘Ditshepe Tsa Ngwao Ya Setswana’ dance group and ‘Inkunzi Ezimdaka’.
Zakes Nhlungwane, President of the Student Representative Council, stressed the significance of the event in remembering the youth who fought in 1976 and advocated for marginalised languages in education and society. He noted the ongoing struggle for curriculum transformation and equitable access to education. Unemployment among the youth was also discussed as one of the significant challenges facing the community.
The event concluded with a summary of the panel discussion by Vido Kungune, Acting Director of the Internationalisation Office, underscoring the importance of continued efforts in education reform and language rights advocacy.
