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This conference has come at a time when there are many issues and challenges facing the youth of our province and our country as a whole. One of the key challenges for our youth and through the type of programs we engage ourselves is to ensure that they become the leaders of tomorrow rather than getting involved in and be influenced by criminal activity.

It is unfortunate that the criminals with smart cars and clothing have become the role models for many of our children. This must change.

Prior to 1994 the youth of our society as a collective were actively involved in the struggle to liberate our country and to becoming a democratic society, however the concept of collectivism and active involvement in government seems to have dwindled.

My appeal to you is to rekindle the activist spirits of our youth, as was demonstrated pre 1994.

The rate and intensity of violence involving young people has escalated dramatically. Young people have become both the perpetrators and the victims of crime in South Africa. Other young people commit much of the violence against young people.

This crime wave includes sexual violence; property related crimes as well as other serious violent crimes. When we start searching for causes of violence in our society, poverty and lack of jobs certainly play a part. But crime is not limited to the poor and jobless.

Extensive research points to the pervasive influence of entertainment espousing violence. Rap groups sing songs about killing police officers and violence against women. In popular video games figurines are chopping off each other's heads further inculcating a culture of violence in the minds of our youth.

Research shows that violence on the screen leads to violence in the real word. Watching these types of programmes, portraying violence, contributes to rising levels of aggression amongst our young people who have already been exposed to societal and institutionalised violence of the previous regime who neglected the majority of the youth.

Youth forums

We are urging the youth to become involved and join our community police forums and forming youth CPFs. Get the help of youth leaders to co-ordinate the functioning of the youth forum. The SAPS at a Provincial Level has a SAPS member designated to co-ordinate youth programmes and I want you to interact with them to co-ordinate your activities.

The success of any youth programme is dependant on a safe and secure environment. By participating in a youth forum young people will be exposed and empowered and inducted into the ranks of community policing. This is important since the negative stigma of policing must now be reviewed and our youth be encouraged to work with the SAPS and also to stimulate an interest in a career within the SAPS to uphold what they have assisted in bringing about - our democratic society.

Cultural factors

Young people are influenced by the pervading societal norms, values and culture. Conflicts between cultures can contribute to stress in young people and to problem behaviour. Not only conflicts between different cultures, but mixed messages from the same culture can be a negative influence or behaviour.

Our cultural heritage provides essential building blocks for the development of identities in young people. Pride in cultural heritage encourages young people to carry on the traditions of their families and neighbourhoods. Shame or embarrassment about cultural heritage can lead young people towards strong rebellion against family values, traditions and customary behaviours. These values that we speak of are not foreign but begins with the family - moving back to family and community-centredness as opposed to "What's in it for me." We need a revitalising of the spirit and culture of Ubuntu. We have to help our youth to find the value of knowing, understanding and appreciating the riches of our culture and the place that it has in a modern society.

Institutions like the Youth Commission must increase their visibility and profile in youth-related matters. They must be the mouthpieces for all matters that affect our youth. Programmes by the Commission must, amongst others must focus on youth crimes both to rehabilitate youth offenders as well as empowering youth victims thereof.

What can we do?

We as young adults must assist to:

* Protect children against the many dangers that beset them;
* Keep tabs on the exposure to violent books, comics, music, TV programs, or movies;
* Provide professional assistance to deal with violent people and begin healing our society;
* Teach our children to be a part of a safer, less violent society.

But our role must be broader if we are going to be effective in addressing matters affecting youth in a holistic manner.

We must ensure that we utilise our institutions of education and learning to the fullest.

Quote from President's speech dated 25 June 1999 inauguration speech:

"Many people including our youth died and sacrificed for the realisation of this objective. They did so because they understood the importance for themselves and all our communities of the right to freedom from ignorance. Consistent with this correct view we must ensure that education and training constitute the decisive drivers in our effort to build a winning nation."

In conclusion I want to urge you that the deliberations and resolutions today must not be theoretical documents, but rather living documents that will effect change to our youth and society in general.

The involvement of the youth in crime particularly requires us to look inward. I want to quote a philosopher who wisely put it:

"He who gains a victory over other men is strong, but he who gains a victory over himself is all powerful" Lao Tse (philosopher)

This calls on us to channel our efforts as the youth to assess how we impact on improving our lives and our communities.

Finally we also have a responsibility not just to interact with youth organisations in other provinces of South Africa but also other African States with the aim of promoting and realising the African Renaissance.

Be proud to be in Africa but more so be proud to be an African.

Issued by Provincial Safety, Liaison & Transport, Eastern Cape

18 April 2001