EMALAHLENI — The Youth Desk under the eMalahleni Local Municipality hosted a moving and thought-provoking Youth Day Memorial Lecture on Monday, June 16, 2025, bringing together community members, youth leaders, and municipal officials to honour the courage and sacrifice of the youth of 1976.
Held under the theme “Skills for the Changing World: Empowering Youth for Meaningful Economic Participation,” the event served as a powerful reminder of the significance of the Soweto Uprising and the continuing responsibility of today’s youth to build on the legacy of those who fought for freedom.
The programme was led by the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Development and Spatial Planning, Cllr Nombuso Mokwana, who called on young people to honour the past through active and deliberate participation in shaping a better future. “We must not only remember, but we must do,” said Mokwana. “The future is in your hands.”
Historian and guest speaker Leslie Ntuli delivered a compelling reflection on the events of June 16, 1976, reminding attendees of the bravery shown by youth who resisted an oppressive education system. His message emphasised the need to learn from the past in order to confront present-day challenges.
MMC for Finance, Cllr Faith Msibi, highlighted the importance of education and responsive political leadership in youth development. She stressed the need for educational investment that equips young people with practical, future-fit skills and urged for deployment of leaders who truly understand and advocate for youth issues.
Acting Executive Mayor, Cllr Thabang Mathebula, delivered the keynote address with an impassioned call to action. He urged the youth to see themselves as drivers of economic transformation and social progress. “Youth empowerment is not a slogan; it is a mission,” Mathebula declared. “Let us build a generation that is united, resilient, and innovative.”
The programme also featured cultural performances including song, poetry, and dance, which paid homage to the spirit of resistance and celebrated the vibrant energy of South Africa’s youth. These creative expressions added a rich emotional layer to the day, reinforcing the theme of resilience.
The lecture closed with a collective message: that today’s youth must rise to the occasion and shape a better tomorrow. With June celebrated as Youth Month, the memorial lecture stood not only as a commemoration of the past, but as a clear call to action.
As the youth of eMalahleni reflect on the legacy of 1976, they are being challenged to lead with purpose, armed with skills, knowledge, and determination to uplift their communities and contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.
