Talent and entrepreneurship encouraged among Freedom Park youth

Youth Day commemorations focused on encouraging entrepreneurship and exposing local talent in Freedom Park this year.

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The Thembelihle Community Projects together with Knowledge Share Enterprise organised the Freedom Park Youth Exhibition aimed at giving young people a platform to explore their potential in business and the arts.

The event highlighted a struggle different from that of 1976 when young people took to the streets to demand the freedoms being enjoyed today. It is a struggle of economic emancipation and getting young people occupying their rightful place in today’s society.

One of the organisers, Siboniso Thwala said Freedom Park has so much potential with many young people starting their own businesses and the exhibition was their way of celebrating them.

“Today’s focus was on talent exhibition. We have a lot of talented children in this community but some don’t know what to do with their lives.

“So we are helping them realise their potential and how far their talents can take them,” explained Thwala.

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As evident to Thwala’s words, the abundance of talent from young people was showcased on stage through music, acting and drum majorettes. The Freedom Park Youth Exhibition took the community back to basics and reminded locals of how Youth Day should be celebrated, away from alcohol and other harmful behaviours.

Event co-organiser, Thembelihle Sibisi said the event was all about conveying a positive message to young people in the community.

“The message is that young people should not be afraid to put themselves and their talent out there.

“We just wanted to give them a platform to do that and give them courage to do better and never give up,” added Sibisi who is also the founder of the Thembelihle Community Projects.

The June 16 event was the start of many events which will be hosted under the Freedom Park Youth Exhibition initiative throughout the year.

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Sibisi, Thwala and Sindiswa Gumbi as the brains behind the project are hopeful that more young people will come on board to work with them in developing their community.

Special thanks went to Ernest and Thabo for the venue, Big Daddies for sponsoring the event and everyone from the community who supported and made the event a success.