Ahmed Kathrada Foundation Youth plans June 16 commemoration parade
Thando Nondywana The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation held a media briefing at the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum in Orlando to launch its Youth Day Parade for Justice and Change as part of the foundations' Youth Month commemoration plans. The inaugural parade, led by the Kathrada Foundation’s Youth Activism programme which has partnered with over 70
The inaugural parade, led by the Kathrada Foundation’s Youth Activism programme which has partnered with over 70 organisation aims to call for drastic changes from government and amplify the voice of young people.
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“It is our hope that the parade inspires the youth from across the country to begin the work in solidarity with one another and tackle the grave issues that we are faced with.
“For far too long we have limited our actions in small doses but today we want to inspire the spirit of collectivism once more in order to strengthen the democratic system that we inherited,” said Irfaan Mangera, AFK Youth Activism.
Mangera further said the parade would serve as a call-to-action to young people who felt anger and frustration at the failures of government. Adding that it was now time to act beyond the social media streets and demand a more responsive and caring government.
“The example set by the youth of ’76, 80’s generation and recent #FeesMustFall generation have shown us, that when young people come together the systems that govern us are forced to listen.”
Antoinette Sithole, sister to Hector Pieterson, shared a message of solidarity urging young people to take a stand and call for accountability from their leaders.
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“We as the youth took up the streets of Soweto fighting for education and human rights. Our parents did not even know.
“But we were also fighting for generations to come, opening the paths and doors that were shut so the coming generations can get a better life.”
Sithole draw parallels between the students of 1976 and youth led movements in the country adding that it is only young people who have the power to win the war against social ills and challenges they faced.
“We expect the youth to come up with better solutions, because you are the future leaders. The blood that was shed was for you, that means you have to take a stand and call for accountable. Now that the paths have opened what are you doing?” She asked.
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The panel of young people at the media briefing was made up by partner organisations such as the Corruption Watch, Section 27, Defend Our Democracy and others who endorsed the event and used the opportunity to address the dire state of social-economic issues prevalent in the country.
The parade will start at the Loftus Verveld stadium and make its way to the Union Building where they will hand over a memorandum to the office of the presidency.
The memo will highlight the plight of young people and call for government action to address issues relating to Youth Unemployment, ending racism and corruption, job opportunities and free quality education.
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