It is important not to look away from visceral pictorial evidence of the suffering of disempowered people
Youth Day
How dare you compare the youth of 2015 to those of 1976?
The youth of 1976 stand lauded for their bravery in standing up to the government of the time. They held what was meant to be a peaceful march in protest against being instructed, as black learners, in Afrikaans. Afrikaans was the language of the leadership at the time. This peaceful march turned gruesome and now […]
The June 16s of tomorrow
Yesterday we honoured Youth Day in South Africa, a day when we remember the hundreds of young people who were massacred in 1976 by the apartheid regime for their peaceful protests against a state education system that sought to forever keep them as economic slaves. It took the courage of children to bring the apartheid […]
Young South Africans still slipping through the cracks
To commemorate the brave stance taken by the youth of 1976, the month of June is dedicated as youth month to celebrate young people in the country — with June 16 used to commemorate the youth of 1976. This year’s celebrations were particularly notable, as South Africa celebrates its 20th year of democracy. The month […]
Giving meaning to the youth voice
I was planning to ignore Youth Day until I accepted an invitation to the Youth Radio Awards on Sunday evening, June 16. Instead of a march or yet another speech-making event, I found myself in a hall buzzing with youth exuberance as the work of young reporters was celebrated with a programme filled with music […]
ANC lives and leads: A burning reminder
By Petunia Mpoza I wake up to the beep of my phone, signalling messages from friends and comrades alike, ensuring departure centres and time. It is at this moment that I realise that it is more than simply individuals from all walks of life who congregate in African National Congress regalia. It is not simply […]
Children are the future
On the occasion of my 28th birthday in March this year, the message from my mother was slightly different from that of years gone past: “Happy birthday son. You know I’m now eagerly anticipating the day you bring someone home and of course, also looking to hold your child in my hands.” From where I […]