Hardship and the ‘new normal’ way of life due to Covid-19 should not prevent the youth from setting goals and working towards a greater good.
This is the view of ML Sultan learners who were part of an early Youth Day commemoration at their school. Youth Day commemorates the Soweto youth uprising of 16 June 1976. Protests started at schools after a directive from the then Bantu Education Department that Afrikaans had to be used on an equal basis with English as a language of instruction in secondary schools. It then spread countrywide and profoundly changed the socio-political landscape in South Africa. The theme for this Youth Day is “Youth, Resilience, Challenges and Opportunities in Covid-19 Time.”
After a commemoration prayer and song, Grade 7 learners told The Ladysmith Herald that the youth needed to strive for a better future. “Despite the challenges of Covid-19, we must be brave and continue working together for a better South Africa, not only to lead, but to assist our future leaders.”
