The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Sihle Zikalala held a memorial service for 13 Umzimkhulu residents who were victims of the recent Soweto tavern mass shooting.
Thirteen of the 16 victims were killed when assailants opened fire last week in the Nomzamo Tavern in Orlando East, Soweto.
The victims were aged 19 to 35 years old.
The memorial service was held at the Umzimkhulu Tvet College.
The Premier identified the victims as Sithembiso Mjoli, Luyanda Mjoli, Nhlonipho Mbanjwa, Nkosiyezwe Malunga, Thamsanqa Malunga, Sphethuxolo Chiliza, Menzi Nzimande, Mlondi Ndlangisa, Philani Mngonyama, Sibongiseni Jokazi, Sibonelo Ngubane, Njabulo Ndlangisa and Sifiso Sosiba.
Zikalala said the youngest of the deceased from Umzimkhulu is said to be 19 years old and the oldest, is 35 years old.
He said in the South African categorisation, the victims were all defined as being part of the youth.
“On such a sombre day, we know what the ancients meant when they said no parent should have to bury their sons or daughters. It is not normal, it is not the natural order of things. In a time of war and conflict, it can be expected for parents to bury their children. As we close the eyes of our children to say they must rest in eternal peace, may their deaths help open ours to what is going on in our land. This colossal loss that has come with the massacre of these young people must help us see the vulnerable and risky conditions that many black young people of our land live in,” said Zikalala.
He added that the war against black youth is reflected in the unacceptably high levels of violent crime and murder in the country.
The Premier said it is clear that the lack of opportunities and rural poverty continues to push poor youth to move to bigger cities like Durban and Johannesburg in search of economic opportunities. He said they urge young people to take full advantage of the opportunities provided to educate and skill them from grade R all the way to institutions of higher learning.”
Education and skills are fundamental to self-development and we urge all young people of Mzimkhulu and the Harry Gwala District to make use of them. The government will continue to support initiatives to grow youth employment in KwaZulu-Natal and support youth entrepreneurs through initiatives like Operation Vula. We appeal to all the youth of this province to stand up and look for these opportunities. We also implore the private sector in KwaZulu-Natal to do more to support youth development and economic empowerment,” said Zikalala.
He added: “To the grieving families, we pray that you are able to gather the strength to keep your hope alive, and to keep moving forward. We call on the communities of Soweto, Harry Gwala, and the whole of KwaZulu-Natal to unite behind efforts to prevent crime in their communities.”
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