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13 June 2007

The Gauteng Provincial Government in partnership with the City of Johannesburg, the June 16 Foundation and the Gauteng Youth Commission will host the Provincial Youth Day Commemoration at the Johannesburg Stadium on Saturday, 16 June 2007.

This year's programme will start with a wreath laying ceremony at the Hector Pieterson Memorial by Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa, City of Johannesburg Executive Mayor, Amos Masondo, Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Barbara Creecy and the Gauteng Youth Commission Chairperson, Lebogang Maile.

The day's events will then proceed to the Johannesburg Stadium for a political and cultural programme. Gauteng Premier Mbhazima Shilowa will deliver a keynote address. The cultural programme will include performances by top South African musicians including Hip-Hop Pantsula, Chomee, Malaika, Kelly Khumalo as well as DJ Pepsi.

Speaking at the launch of the Youth Month programme, Creecy said that every year Youth Month offers us an opportunity "to remember, commemorate and pay tribute to those young people who sacrificed their lives in the struggle for a free and democratic South Africa. It also offers us an opportunity to take stock of and highlight what we as government, in partnership with youth, have done in improving the lives of young people in Gauteng.

"16 June 1976 was a turning point in the struggle for a free and democratic South Africa. Today as we celebrate the freedom that democracy has brought us, we pay tribute to those who fought and died for the freedom and opportunities that young people enjoy today," said Creecy.

This year's commemoration will be held under the theme "Deepening Youth Participation in Development through Service".

About 45 000 people from around Gauteng are expected to attend the celebrations.

Details are as follows:
Date: Saturday, 16 June 2007
Time: 09h00
Venue:
Wreath laying ceremony: Hector Pieterson Memorial
Political and cultural programme: Johannesburg Stadium, Bertrams

For more information and media accreditation contact:
Nomazwe Ntlokwana
Tel: 011 355 7525
Cell: 083 507 8068

Issued by: Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Gauteng Provincial Government
13 June 2007
Source: SAPA