Youth Day is a celebration of bravery and sacrifice and is commemorated in memory of the Soweto Uprising on June 16, 1976.

Defiant young men and women refused for Afrikaans to be made compulsory as a medium of instruction in schools.
Between 3 000 and 10 000 learners organised a protest march but sadly this ended in bloodshed and official figures were that 23 people had been killed.

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To celebrate the lives of the young people who were killed, various youth programmes are held across South Africa.
Closer to home, June 16 will be marked by the fifth annual Youth Challenge.

This run is hosted annually by the Loskop Gijimas and aims to bring people closer through sport, in this case – road running.

The Youth Challenge will take place this Saturday (June 16) in Emqedandaba in Loskop at 8am. The distances include a 15km and 5km fun run.

The first 150 runners to complete the race will receive prizes to the value of R10 000, which includes a sheep, medals and T-shirts.

“Other entertainment includes aerobics, indlamu and jumping castle. Hot dogs will also be on sale and Nestle will be sponsoring warm drinks for the participants in the morning,” commented Amanda Mbongwa from Loskop Gijimas.

Entries for the Youth Challenge will be opened from June 12 until race day and participants can find entry forms outside the municipal offices or register on the day from 6.30am. For more information contact Ms Mbongwa on 076 604 7629 or Bongani on 082 094 3469.

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