By Minenhle Mpembe
Not too far from the prestigious Michaelhouse College which is one of the two most expensive schools in the country, there is a farming community of Lions River. Many adults in the area work on various farms in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and there aren’t enough opportunities or recreational facilities for the youth.
To commemorate Youth Day, an initiative to get the young people of the area away from the streets and drugs and to participate in sport and other activities was recently held. This was done through a sports competition organised by forestry and paper company, Sappi.
“This day is important to me as it encourage me, as a youth, to continue playing sports,” said one of the Sappi Research footballers, Neo Ndlovu.
There was also a bit of a reminder of the history that resulted in the public holiday.
“Today we are celebrating Youth Day that came from the Youth of 1976 who marched to fight against the Afrikaans Language as a medium of instruction and many died for that,” said Nhlakanipho Zuma who captains the Lions River.
Apart from football, there was also netball for the ladies. They also think it’s an incredible initiative.
“Today is a special day to unite youth and prevent them from taking drugs,” said Hlengiwe Ndlela from Lions River Netball Club.
She says that days like this should be celebrated because it took bloodshed for issues that oppress South Africa’s youth to be recofnised.
Sappi Research says that they have opportunities and scholarships for youth in the area and urges young people to visit their website so they don’t run the risk of falling prey to social ills because of a lack of purpose and hopelessness.
