BLOGGING THE VIEW: 5 ways Youth Day still impacts South Africa

On Monday we will celebrate Youth Day, something that has been expanded into Youth Month as South Africa’s young people continue to face uphill battles in access to education, employment, safety, and other basic rights like water and electricity.

While rooted in a historic event, 16 June remains as relevant today, and protecting the rights of the youth is something we all need to advocate for.

Youth Day’s historical significance
The now iconic photograph of 12-year-old Hector Pieterson being carried by Mbuyisa Makhubo while his sister, Antoinette Sithole, runs beside them, marks one of the darkest days in South African history.

The 1976 Soweto Uprising saw thousands of black students protesting the government’s call for Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in schools. Police opened fire, killing 10 people and wounding hundreds of others, with both Hector Pieterson and Hastings Ndlovu killed that day.

How Youth Day impacts us today
Honouring the past is important, but even more so today, as the rights of children around South Africa are still not being realised.

Children suffering from hunger and at the hands of abusers is a daily occurrence – something that should have no place in modern South Africa, more than 30 years into democracy. Here’s how Youth Day still resonates.

1. The power of youth activism
The 1976 Soweto Uprising is a powerful example of how young people can drive change, even under oppressive circumstances.

Youth Day reminds us of the potential young South Africans hold to influence society, challenge injustices, and lead transformative movements.

2. Fighting for quality education
Children are still, in today’s South Africa, having to learn in a medium of instruction that is not their home language.

This needs to change. Youth Day is a poignant reminder that every child deserves access to quality education and to be instructed in a language they understand.

3. Addressing modern challenges
Unemployment, mental health, gender-based violence, and access to resources continue to plague young South Africans.

Youth Day is a platform for discussing these challenges, promoting policy change, and strengthening youth development programmes that create real opportunities.

4. Celebrating the youth
Despite the challenges facing South Africa’s youth, they continue to achieve incredible things, from entrepreneurship and digital innovation to climate advocacy and the arts.

Youth Day is a moment to celebrate these achievements, amplify young voices, and encourage the spirit of creativity and leadership.

5. Building a national identity
We need the next generation of South Africans to bring about positive change, not abandon their country for greener pastures.

Youth Day is an opportunity to celebrate everything that unites South Africans, and look forward to the future possibilities that await our youth.

Remember that Youth Day is more than just a public holiday; it’s a call to action for all of us.

This is a chance to reflect on our history, recognise the resilience of our youth, and work together to create a society where every young person has the opportunity to thrive.

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