Mangaung, Free State – Deputy President Paul Mashatile expressed gratitude to the youth of 1976 for their instrumental role in South Africa’s social and political transformation during his keynote address at the official Youth Day Celebrations held in Mangaung.
Youth Day commemorates the uprising that occurred 47 years ago when students in Soweto protested against Afrikaans as a medium of instruction. Deputy President Mashatile highlighted their commitment to ending apartheid, which ultimately paved the way for a more equitable education system in the country.
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Deputy President @PMashatile addresses the National Youth Day Commemoration 2023 held in Mangaung, Free State Province. #YouthDay #YouthDay2023 #youthdaysouthafrica @NYDARSA https://t.co/1oT4oPPg26
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) June 16, 2023“Because of them, the youth in schools are no longer forced to receive an inferior education in a language imposed upon them. In honor of that generation, we have developed a conducive learning system that allows students to choose their desired career paths. Young people now have the opportunity to pursue higher education in institutions that receive state support. Furthermore, the youth of 1976 fought for political freedom, and now we must strive for economic freedom. Hence, this year’s theme is ‘Accelerating Youth Economic Emancipation for a sustainable future,'” stated Mashatile.
Parallel to the celebrations, Northern Cape Premier Zamani Saul emphasized the importance of improving the quality of public education to create job opportunities for the youth. He noted that some young people still lack the necessary skills and education required to qualify for available positions in the job market. Premier Saul made these remarks during the Youth Day Celebrations held in Kimberley.
