POLOKWANE – Youth Day was commemorated on Tuesday, June 16.
The day commemorates the Soweto uprising of 1976 during which thousands of learners protested against Afrikaans as the medium of instruction at local schools, and hundreds of learners died during this protest.
In commemoration of this day, Review spoke to learners from Westenburg Secondary School about their views on Youth Day.
Lawrence Adams, a gr. 12 learner, said people had forgotten the true reason behind Youth Day. “The youth of 1976 marched for education and instead of remembering and celebrating what the young people did, we use this day as another public holiday to drink and have parties. For me, June 16 should be similar to Mandela Day, where the private sector and government focus on schools and find ways to help them in whatever struggles they are experiencing. That is how I think we should celebrate Youth Day,” Lawrence said. He added that their school struggled for months with a shortage of teachers, which resulted in some learners not having class and falling behind with their work. “The learners of 1976 protested for better education and equality, yet we have to struggle today without teachers. This makes me feel that the march of 1976 was not worth it,” Lawrence said.
Queen Chuene, a gr. 11 learner, disagreed with Lawrence and said the Soweto uprising of 1976 was worth it. “Yes our school is facing a number of problems, but the circumstances are not as bad as in the past. We do have teachers and work is explained to us in a language of our choice and that is what the youth of 1976 fought for. But I do acknowledge that there is a shortage of teachers at our school and the department of education must give urgent attention to this problem,” Queen said.
She also agreed with Lawrence that people did not know the value of Youth Day anymore. “People use this day to have bashes in the park, they do not think of the people who lost their lives fighting for us to have a better education,” Queen said.
Leandro Snyman, a gr. 12 learner, said Youth Day was a time during which young people should acknowledge that they had the power to change and develop into the best people they could be.
“We have so many opportunities that the youth of 1976 did not have. It is up to us to take these opportunities and make the best of it, instead of wasting it on a good time like drinking and partying. We need to stay focused and study hard in order to succeed in life,” he said.
Copano Mokommane, a gr. 11 learner, said Youth Day was about celebrating change and progress, which she celebrated with other young people at the University of Limpopo on Tuesday. “If I could change something in the education system, I would appoint more teachers to ensure there was never a shortage of teachers at any school, like it is now at our school,” Copano said.
Ntshidiseng Matlebjane, a gr. 12 learner, said he was grateful to the youth of 1976 who marched for equal and fair education, because he was able to get taught in a language of his choice, but added that the education system was not up to standard. “Our school is a perfect example, we have a shortage of teachers and textbooks are not delivered on time,” he said.
