It's been 40 years since the gallant fight by the students of our country. But some people are obsessed with comparing today's youth with the youth of 1976 and condemning them for "failing" to emulate the 1976 youth. On the contrary, there is a great deal of potential [in] our youngsters. If the so-called experts take time out to travel through all the Rea Vaya routes from Johannesburg to Soweto they would see the many youngsters gathered in groups, focused on their smartphones, tablets and laptops in all the bus stations.These are not the signs of a "lost" and "futureless" generation that the naysayers keep telling us about. The future is already in their hands.All that's needed is a little guidance for them to see that through the free internet they access they can find and create jobs. Some youngsters have come under so much pressure to emulate the 1976 youth that they have engaged in violent protests, burning schools and clinics, thinking that it is what their heroes would be happy to see them do. They have been misled and do not realise that in a democratic SA they have no business burning down everything their parents helped build.The youths of 1976 were a product of patient guidance and encouragement from older revolutionaries. Thus the role of elders today is not to keep painting a gloomy picture. Show the youth that the future is already in their hands and they will do the country proud. - Kwazi Mthembu, Naledi, Soweto..