The tragic events of this day in 1976, demonstrated the strength and resolute determination of our youth to challenge inequality, deplorable education systems and language policies imposed under the Apartheid system.
National Youth Day marks a day of remembrance, when at least 176 people - mostly youth in Soweto – were killed in protests against the imposition of the policy of Afrikaans as the sole means of instruction in schools. This year marks the forty sixth anniversary of this dark chapter in South African history. This very symbolic anniversary today gives us an opportunity to reflect on the investments and advances we have made as a society to ensure that the rights of children, the youth and their tomorrow are better fortified against the vulnerabilities which continue to plague them 46 years after June 1976.

The Commission salutes, in remembrance, the youth who played such a central role in heralding reform and the protection of human rights. Much however, remains to be done to ensure that the youth and children’s rights are respected by all in South Africa to change the outlook for the children and youth of the future. Our society continues to experience the blight of high youth unemployment and extreme poverty. The impacts of these conditions are made much worse where youth and children are fearful of their safety and survival. South Africa’s youth unemployment rates are at a staggering 65.5%. Much more needs to be done to better engage the youth, draw on their energy and experiences to support income generation, and to mitigate against high unemployment. Without strong commitments to such programs and without decisive and transparent action to implement such commitments, South Africa’s youthful population and children will continue to pay with their lives to break the back of poverty.

The Commission urges government to more closely engage the youth, to prioritise their safety, development, education and to develop programs which ultimately break historic poverty traps in the country.

Ends –

Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission
Wisani Baloyi – Communications Officer Tel: 081 016 8308 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.