‘Good does come from Eldos’
Through the centre, many young people from the area have been educated in welding, computer and beauty, to mention just a few.
Advocate Dakile from the National Prosecuting Authority urged the youth of Eldorado Park to use all opportunities and resources available to them to learn and change their lives for the better.
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Dakile was speaking during a Youth Day commemoration event hosted by the Greater Eldorado Park Youth Innovation Hub on Friday last week. “We come from very difficult times when there was a shortage of schools.
“The structure of education was marked by the principle of divide and rule. Even today the same thing is still happening and it is up to you as the youth to change it,” said Dakile.
He continued to say even though today the doors of education are open, young people are still facing the challenge of unemployment and inequalities.
The Youth Day commemoration event by the Greater Eldorado Park Youth Innovation Hub was focused on the importance of education and showcasing what the centre has achieved in empowering the youth with skills.
Through the centre, many young people from the area have been educated in welding, computer and beauty, to mention just a few.
Upon completing their training, they are awarded with SETA accredited certificates which then allows them to get jobs or start their own businesses in their chosen fields.
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Opening the event, Chairperson of the hub, Phyllis Vilakazi said their aim is to empower young people with skills that will sustain them in the long term. She added the best way to honour those who lost their lives in 1976 is to make sure that the youth of today get permanent jobs and change the situation in their homes and community.
Other speakers shared the same sentiments and agreed that it is time for the narrative about Eldorado Park to change.
Councillor Juwairiya Kalddien said good and success does come from Eldorado park and used herself as an example.
She is one of the young councillors in the City of Johannesburg occupying important positions in important committees.
“We want to see this skills centre grow and we will not stop until government gives us what we deserve,” said the councillor adding that she fully supports the centre and the work it does in the community.
Other speakers at the event included a former MK soldier, Voice Mabe who spoke about the important role that young people need to play in changing the situation in the community.
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A Youth Day commemoration event would not be complete without a Sarafina dance routine performed by young people from the hub. Music was also the order of the day as young people were educated about the struggle for the freedom they enjoy today.