KZN Education and Culture MEC's Youth Day message

Twenty-six years ago, on the 16th June 1976, the youth of South Africa rose up to face the might of the apartheid machinery in pursuit of the struggle for liberation. As our youth, on Youth Day, ponder over these sacrifices which contributed to the freedom we now have, they would do well to heed the lessons encapsulated in the struggle of 1976.

The 1976 youth learnt the lesson that freedon is never given, but fought for. Likewise, complete liberation, for which we are still struggling, will come about when our youth take responsibility for their future. Complete liberation will materialise when our youth assume their vanguard role in the fight against ignorance, want and diseases. In the spirit of 1976, our youth must say "No" to lawlessness, crime, drug abuse and abuse of humans by others. Say "No" to all forms of sexual conduct which lead to sexually-transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS in particular.

The spirit of 1976 calls for dedicated commitment to studies. Say "No" to those who, in any way, seek to destabilise our education. Say "No" to those who, masquerading as forces for democracy, seek to jettison things African and indigenous in favour of the extraneous. The spirit of 1976 calls for the same loyalty to the country. It calls for the same discipline and resilience which saw your predecessors develop "courage which rises with danger".

Forward with the spirit of Youth Day!