On June 16, 1976, a series of protests were led by the youth in Soweto, against the inequalities of Bantu education, where many students were arrested and many even killed by the then apartheid police officers. In post-apartheid South Africa, on June 16, South Africans across all races stand together to celebrate democracy and to commemorate those who lost their lives, at the hands of the brutal apartheid government during the Soweto Uprisings of 1976.
This past Tuesday, June 5, Jacaranda Primary School hosted an early Youth Day programme for learners ranging from pre-primary level, all the way through to Grade 7. Principal, Suren Reddhi, opened the programme by welcoming the Laudium SAPS to the event.
He said: “Today we are commemorating the freedom we have after the oppression our forefathers struggled through, during apartheid. It is the responsibility of all young people to take this opportunity and make the best of the education you receive, by doing our forefathers proud, knowing that they fought for a worthy cause.”
Following this, Nonkululeko Mafa (27), a social auxiliary worker, and Mafokoana Helen (21), the youth desk co-ordinator, both of the Laudium SAPS, addressed the students on various topics, including anti-crime tips, human trafficking and the importance of studying hard.
The officers encouraged the young learners to work smart and attain good marks in order to qualify for scholarships and learnerships, to contribute to improving South Africa as “responsible adults”.
The programme concluded with an energetic dance routine, performed by some learners, with Constable Chokoe and Constable Mgcina sharing in on the fun, by joining the dance group on stage and busting out some moves.
Suren told the Laudium Sun that with crime being rampant in South Africa, it is important that children at this young age are made aware that they cannot just trust anyone, more so, as children are being targeted on a daily basis by the very same people who they know and trust, including family members and even neighbours. There is a huge rise in child molestation in our country, which is very unfortunate.
Nonkululeko Mafa, Mafokoana Helen, Constable Mgcina and Constable Chokoe of the Laudium SAPS, together with Jacaranda Primary learners, at the Youth Day event.
Hands up: Constable Mgcina and Constable Chokoe briefly joined the learners on stage, performing a dance routine.