Local youth get some inspiration
Youth Day is celebrated in many different ways and the youth of Dikgale village joined hands on Friday at the Amazing Grace Worship Centre to entertain the people through music, dramas and poetry.
POLOKWANE – Various stakeholders such as the South African Police Service, Community Policing Forum, Polokwane Correctional Services and Dikgale Clinic were in attendance. Peter Phoshoko, General Manager at Polokwane Chemical Supplies, was the speaker of the day and introduced the theme, Youth in Christ, and said: “It takes a community to raise a child”.
Sebayeng Police Station Commander, Captain Samuel Sekgopa said: “We see young people as the future of the country. It breaks my heart when I see them engaging in criminal behaviour. As a young person, know your purpose, so change and shape your life”.
Members from the Polokwane Correctional Services were represented by parolees, Andries Chipu and Vusi Ndlovu.
“After my 20-year stay in prison, I learned life doesn’t end here. It is time we bring about a new lifestyle in young people that will be a reflection for future generations. Youth Day should be a time of reflection for the youth so we honour those who took a stand during the Soweto uprising,” said Chipu.
“I grew up in a neighbourhood where crime was considered to be normal. Due to peer pressure I found myself involved with the wrong gang, but my life changed in prison and I am a reformed person. I had the opportunity to study in prison. Young people need us to tell our stories so they can see the importance of education. The youth need to have an identity so they can learn to stand up for it. The time to change is now,” added Ndlovu.
Kabelo Stoltz, a nurse from the Dikgale Clinic, said there was an epidemic of older men preying on young women in their communities.
“The Dikgale Clinic condemns this behaviour. This behaviour is one of the reasons for the continued high HIV/aids rates. We plead with young people to live an exemplary life and we, as parents, should continuously support and motivate our children.”
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