A decade ago, wearing one's school uniform and going into the streets in commemoration of Youth Day was popular and, at the time, made sense.
Over the years, as not only the leadership of this country deteriorated in quality but the youth themselves grew disillusioned as they realised they were dealt a raw deal, the celebration of the day has lost its significance and relevance.
When the schoolboy Zolile Hector Pieterson was shot and killed at the age of 12 during the Soweto uprising, he was part of a large movement that sought to fight against oppressive education laws. They had a cause, a mission and hope. They took the bull by its horns in the fight for freedom.
When one looks at the youth of this generation, there is not much difference — except that the impact of their revolts falls on deaf ears.
May the youth of this generation not lose hope but continue the spirit of fighting for what is right, despite the cost — and not be silenced by the violence they are met with when they take their matters to the streets
In 2015 students from the University of Cape Town protested against the statue of Cecil Rhodes, a movement that gave rise to the hashtag Rhodes Must Fall. Though physically aimed at the statue, the sought revolution was that of the decolonisation of the curriculum, equitable access to education, a fight against systemic racism and a call for transformation. The protests begot the Fees Must Fall movement, whose impact was heavily felt at the time — but over time, the students lost the fight.
After all these major uprisings, the youth are still trapped in a system that has failed to create a funding method that caters for all who need it. Access to higher education is still a struggle. When they complete school, they have to face an unfriendly job market that has almost nothing to offer them. The youth are not only left to fend for themselves but most of them have been reduced to mere statistics of unemployment and poverty.
Why have we rendered this day a mere public holiday when politicians give redundant speeches instead of real action? Who will open the doors for economic participation and growth? Does the theme “skills for the changing world — empowering youth for meaningful economic participation” bear any weight, or is it just rhetoric?
Crime is at an all-time high, a basket of groceries costs an arm and a leg, fuel is expensive, homes are unaffordable and many careers are losing relevance, disasters are wreaking havoc and mental health problems are silently killing the youth. The pride and joy that a degree used to usher in a home is a thing of the past. The character of the leadership has moved from burly bureaucrats who rubber-stamped apartheid laws to politicians whose interests are filling their stomachs.
May the youth of this generation not lose hope but continue the spirit of fighting for what is right, despite the cost — and not be silenced by the violence they are met with when they take their matters to the streets.
The school uniform, which signified a common struggle, inspires the next form of transformation. May they not cower but fight for their destinies.
The past struggle for access to the economy, education and a better life is not one worth repeating.
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