Kimberley- President Jacob Zuma will deliver a keynote address at the National Youth Day Commemoration on 16 June 2014 under the theme,“Youth Moving South Africa Forward”. The President will be accompanied by Minister of Arts and Culture, Mr Nathi Mthethwa, Minister in the Presidency, Mr Jeff Radebe, Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Buti Manamela and National Youth Development Agency Executive Chairperson Yershen Pillay.

“The year 2014 marks the 38th anniversary of the June 16 Soweto and other related uprisings. The uprisings ended tragically as large numbers of young people were killed by the apartheid government when they protested against the imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction. This day is popularly known as the Soweto Uprising or June 16” departmental spokesperson Patience Mogomotsi said. 

Mogomotsi said the democratic government decided to honour the memory of those who died and suffered during this day by declaring June 16 a National Day called Youth Day.

“The objective is to preserve the legacy and principles of selflessness of the youth of 1976 as we work together to take the country forward and promote social cohesion and nation building” Mogomotsi said.

In line with the 20 Years of Freedom and Democracy celebrations, the 2014 youth month programme will entail a month long programme aimed at highlighting the work of government through unveiling and launching projects, while having conversations with the youth on the progress made in the past 20 years.

The event details are as follows:

Date   :16 June 2014
Time   :09h00
Venue: Galeshewe Stadium, Kimberley

-TDN
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