BY HOFFMAN GALENG

As the Youth Month and the celebration of the heroic struggle waged by the class of 1976 to advance the quest for freedom is drawing close, there is a need to reflect on the lessons learnt from this heroic epoch to suggest ways on how its significance can be meaningfully sustained.

Although the conditions of the present generation of youth differed markedly with those of the class of 1976, it is incumbent upon the youth of today to emulate themselves in defining their cause for a better South Africa by producing a model for contentious politics to be felt for years to come. 

The youth have therefore stopped seeing “Youth Month” as an exclusive month for the class of 1976 and have adopted an approach that amalgamates the contributions of all young people in South Africa. The process ensures that their contributions filter down to the grass-root level in a sustainable manner for prosperity.

As the youth of today augment the contribution made by the class of 1976 who were confronted by the repressive state machinery intended to undermine the dignity of the African child and to further deepen the plight of the black majority in line with the apartheid policies.

They should therefore use the power of their vote in the upcoming Local Government Elections to claim their stake in the current political realm.

With the Local Government Elections coming up on August 3, we welcome the survey results for March-May 2016 published by Ipsos markinor. It is renowned and leading research company. It indicated that 71 percent of our youth intend to vote on elections day. The results of this reputable institution conducted among 3 786 households targeting young people, during face to face interviews, laid to rest the allegations of youth apathy as being reported in certain media houses and quarters. 

This is a welcome change on the part of our youth in participating in the affairs of the country geared towards changing their socio-economic status.

The youth of today are combat ready to participate in the political processes of the country as reflected in the high proportion of newly eligible voters who were registered in the last leg of voter registrations by the IEC.

Our youth are conscious of the fact that opting out of the democratic process is an indication of cynicism, as this would result in their exclusion in both national planning and decision making processes of the affairs of the country.

In taking forward their own legitimate struggles of today, be it around education, participation in electoral processes and employment opportunities, or the provision of services, young people should be mindful of the fact that the hallmarks of the struggle of the class of 1976 were unity and discipline.

Our fifth democratic government theme for this Youth Month “Youth moving South Africa forward” is quite apposite as it seeks to engender a sense of involvement in our youth and urge them to remember the wise words of one of our legend from the Bokone Bophirima Province, uncle Moses Kotane, who declared that “At this hour of destiny, your country and your people need you.

The future of South Africa is in your hands and it will be what you make of it.” This cannot be further from the truth as South Africa needs a legion of its youth at this particular juncture.

As we will be making long queues to cast our votes in the upcoming local government elections and renew the mandate of the ANC in most municipalities in the province and country-wide, we should be mindful of the myriad challenges that still lies ahead in facilitating programmes aimed at job creation and economic security of youth through government, business and civil society.

Franz Fanon once declared in his celebrated quote that “Each generation must discover its mission, fulfil it or betray it, in relative opacity.” We have no doubt as the ANC-led government, that the youth of today are up to the task and will renew the mandate of the ANC-led democratic local government on August 3.

Hoffman Galeng is the Chief Whip of the Majority party (ANC) in the North West Legislature and writes in his personal capacity

-TDN

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