[ Home ] [ Speeches & statements ]

The Programme Director
MEC Kganare
The Honourable Mayor and Councillors
Delegations from Umsombomvu and the Youth Commission
Distinguished guests

I am privileged to be amongst you this morning, especially on this occasion during which we launch the Youth Service Programme in the Free State. Our young people have played a significant role in the struggle towards liberation in our country. The freedom and democracy that we enjoy today can partly be attributed to the unwavering dedication of the youth.

As we celebrated youth month in June this year, our country paid homage to the young unsung heroes of the 1976 uprising. The events of that year were prompted by a strong desire to change a system that was oppressive and oblivious to the needs of the majority. As a result, many young people volunteered and scarified their lives in the name of the liberation struggle.

Today we are faced with a different kind of struggle. There are numerous challenges that need to be overcome in order to ensure a better life for all South Africans. Crime prevention, the fight against HIV/AIDS, job creation, economic development and moral regeneration are some of the priorities that top the government's agenda.

The State President, Mr Thabo Mbeki, declared 2002 as the year of the volunteer. Our people have been implored to freely and willingly offer themselves, their services and expertise in order to bring about meaningful change in the lives of our people, more especially the poor.

It is imperative that we all work together to ensure that our country becomes the ideal state and that it is habitable for all our people.

It is important also to engage young people in developmental initiatives in the communities within which they live. I am pleased by the efforts being undertaken by the Youth Commission and the Umsombomvu Youth Fund in formulating integrated strategies for youth development.

As government we are obliged to support such endeavours in order to enable young people to be involved in socio-economic development and other reconstruction programmes.

The Young Positive Living Ambassadors (YPLA) project on HIV/AIDS has contributed significantly in our AIDS awareness programmes. The YPLA project has people on sexuality and youth participation in this project is encouraging.

I believe that the rehabilitation of Selogilwe Primary is a first step towards involving the youth in other development programmes.

The Free State University has been co-opted in the establishment of the Youth Research Unit in the province. Various provincial departments will also be involved in youth development programmes across the province with the co-operation of Umsombomvu and the Youth Commission. I hope that other stakeholders including the private sector will become involved in these youth programmes

I beseech all youth to take part in our initiatives to improve the lives of our people. Be educated and contribute towards the revival of the African culture of respect and humanity. Help us to rebuild and develop our society.

In conclusion I wish to express gratitude to Umsombomvu for their dynamic vision. I am hopeful that their work will be successful and go a long way in improving the live of our youth.

Let all young people take strength from the theme of the Umsumbomvu Youth Fund "Every day is youth day and every month is youth month".

I thank you.

Source: Free State Provincial Government (htt://mangaung.ofs.gov.za)