Youth Month

1 - 30 June

“Youth moving South Africa forward”

The 2014 Youth Month is highly significant as South Africa marks 20 years of freedom since the first democratic elections were held in 27 April 1994. The 2014 Youth Month programme will facilitate conversations with the youth on the achievements and progress made in youth development over the past 20 years as well as the challenges that still exist.

While the youth of 1976 fought for freedom and the creation of a democratic state, today’s youth activism is directed towards successfully tackling the challenges of combating poverty, unemployment, HIV and AIDS, personal development; economic freedom and the development of the country.

The advent of the post-colonial and post-apartheid democratic political dispensation brought about a new way of looking at the day by rededicating it to the youth of South Africa. Since that tragic incident, 16 June has been commemorated as Youth Day and is a public holiday in South Africa. This is to perpetuate the memory of those who died and suffered during this day as well as to carry on with their legacy and principles of selflessness determination and devotion that are necessary for success and growth for any society or nation.

The Department of Arts and Culture (DAC), with strong support from the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and various government departments will lead the Youth Day 2014 celebrations and a month-long programme of supporting activities.

The 38th National Youth Day celebrations will be held in Galeshewe, Sol Plaatjie Municipality, Kimberley in the Northern Cape on 16 June.

Youth day, 16 June is popularly known as the Soweto Uprising or June 16. The uprisings tragically ended with hundreds of young people killed by the apartheid government when they protested against the imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction.

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*Source: www.gov.za

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