Celebrating Youth Day by uniting schools
Helping pupils realise their talents at an early stage.
Protea Gardens Mall commemorated Youth Day by empowering primary school pupils to help them realise their talents.
They hosted a school exhibition where schools gathered at the mall to compete through art by singing, reciting poems, dance and other art related activities.
Erron Ratshitanda, coordinator at the Protea Gardens Mall School’s Exhibition, said that the reason they organised such event is because they want show children a good way to go and encourage them to participate in art to search and realise their talents at an early stage.
He said that Youth Day is all about celebrating the lives of the class of 1976.
“Youth Day is about celebrating the lives of the class of 1976 and also a tribute to those who died on that day fighting for freedom,” said Ratshitanda.
Christina Magatshavha, teacher from Mambo Primary School who was 21-years-old in 1976 shared the different level of respect the youth of ’76 had compared to the youth of today.
“During our time, there was respect unlike the youth of today, who are disrespectful and education is meaningless to them.
“The youth of ’76 fought for their education, today, these kids are so disrespectful I want them to learn respect and know the importance of education just like the class of 1976,” said Magatshavha.
Although the youth of today is said to be disrespectful, some are more concerned about the challenges that they face and are willing to go an extra mile to help fight them.
Khanyisa Ntloko, 12-year-old Grade Seven pupil from Elsie Ngidi Primary School said that she understands what the youth of 1976 were fighting for and because they were united, they managed to achieve their goal and the youth of today can also fight their challenges, only if they unite.
“The youth of ’76 were having a peaceful march against the law that said they must learn all their subjects in Afrikaans not knowing that the police were going to react in a violent way.
“We as the youth of today, must also unite to fight against Nyaope and other challenges we face because when united we can conquer all just as the class of ’76 did against Afrikaans laws,” said Ntloko.
She also said that Youth Day means appreciating the freedom the youth of 1976 gave to them and they must exercise it wisely.
