Youth Day was commemorated in Thembisa’s Maokeng section on June 16.

The newly established pub and restaurant The Parliament hosted its first youth-focused community celebration, combining a 5km walk, entertainment and a soup kitchen feeding initiative.

The event, held in recognition of the 1976 youth uprising, saw residents joining staff members from the establishment in a community walk aimed at promoting healthy living and youth engagement.

On completion of the walk, participants gathered at the venue where a soup kitchen served approximately 350 community members.

The programme also included entertainment activities that continued into the afternoon and evening.

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According to organisers, the initiative was designed to encourage healthier lifestyles, community interaction and positive youth development.

Jabulani Sithole from The Parliament said the event was intended to promote wellness and community involvement.

“We are an establishment that is not only focused on business, but also on giving back to the community, especially the youth.

“The purpose of the 5km walk was to encourage healthy living and promote a drug-free lifestyle through positive activities,” said Sithole.

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He added that the initiative also aimed to strengthen community engagement beyond digital platforms.

“In today’s world everything is digital, but when we took to the streets people joined us along the way. That kind of real community interaction is what we want to continue building on,” he said.

Overseer at The Parliament, James Maruma, said the event formed part of efforts to make the establishment more accessible to the community while supporting local development initiatives.

“We are reaching out to the community to offer our services and create awareness about what we do.

“There are perceptions about pricing, but we want people to know that we run different specials and are open to everyone,” said Maruma.

He added that Youth Day provided an opportunity to reflect on the past while focusing on present-day community needs.

“The walk was a great success. It allowed us to engage with residents and invite them to the soup kitchen, which was well received,” he said.

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Participants described the event as uplifting, with many youth seen singing and engaging in traditional gwijo songs as they walked through the streets in celebration of Youth Day.

Organisers said the initiative highlighted the importance of creating platforms that encourage youth participation, healthy lifestyles and community unity.