2024 Youth Month Key Messages Final
YOUTH MONTH 2024
KEY MESSAGES
BRIEF:
This year marks the 48th anniversary of the 16 June 1976 student uprising in Soweto, when young people protested against the Bantu Education Act, which enforced Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in schools, and apartheid laws that oppressed black South Africans.
During their demonstration, heavily armed police fired on the students resulting in the tragic loss of many innocent lives. The 1976 Soweto uprising was a turning point in our nation’s struggle for liberation.
In honour of their lives and many sacrifices, we commemorate National Youth Day on 16 June every year since 1994. This year’s commemoration of Youth Month, which will be held under the theme “Actively advancing socioeconomic gains of our democracy”, will have added significance as it coincides with the celebration of 30 Years of Freedom.
Amongst other key areas, this year’s youth month commemoration focuses on sports for development of our youth and our nation and includes various developmental activities that will be held around the country in the lead up to Youth Day.
Our first democratic president, Nelson Mandela said: “Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand.”
Sport has the power to positively impact the lives of youth and help them tackle some of the challenges they face. Through sport, the youth can unlock opportunities for growth and investment.
| KEY MESSAGES | SUPPORTING STATEMENTS |
| We honour the class of 1976 and uphold their legacy.
|
· During youth month, we are reminded of the unwavering determination of the youth who fought for freedom, justice, equality and quality education.
· The bravery and sacrifice of the Class of 1976 has paved the way for our democracy and a nation that works for everyone. · It is up to us to continue the legacy of the Class of 1976 by protecting this hard-earned freedom and further developing the democratic gains of the last 30 years. · Let’s reignite the spirit of patriotism of 1976, where young people took action to create the nation they envisioned. · Over a third of our population comprises of young people, whom we call upon to be the change makers we need to drive our nation forward. · The 1976 youth’s Actions reminds us how Youth have unlimited potential through which we can build an inclusive thriving economy and transform the nation today. |
| Government honours the youth of 2024 for playing an active role in ushering the 7th democratic government. | · The youth of today has carried the baton forward with its exceptional contributions in various sectors of the society, to accrue the gains of 30 years of our freedom and democracy that we all enjoy today.
· The enormous participation of young people in the peaceful 2024 national and provincial elections which ushered the 7th democratic administration signal their commitment to protect the country’s hard-earned freedom and the legacy of those who came before them. |
| Government remains dedicated to continuously accelerate opportunities for youth development. | · Over the month of June, Young people will be engaged through various ways- workshops, wellness days, an entrepreneurship masterclass and roadshows.
· Opportunities for young people have been lined up to explore skills training, learnerships, bursaries, and entrepreneurship offerings. · An entrepreneurship expo will showcase the various opportunities available to youth within sports, technology, agriculture and manufacturing industries. · The NYDA is assisting the youth through a Get You(th) Qualified initiative, which will assist 100 young South Africans to pay off their student debt and obtain their qualifications. · There is also the United 4 You(th) competition which seeks to support NGOS/ NPOS/NPCs who are committed to addressing the issue of poverty, unemployment and inequality. · The Presidential Youth Employment Intervention (PYEI) is a multi-sector action plan providing new pathways for youth employment. · PYEI in partnership with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and National Skills Fund (NSF) have launched Jobs Boost which will place 4500 marginalised youth in sustainable, quality jobs. |
| South Africa has made impactful inroads over the last 30 years in uplifting young people.
|
· The national youth development outcomes are informed by the National Development Plan (NDP) and National Youth Policy (NYP), which prioritises the participation of youth in all sectors of the society.
· The Presidential Employment Stimulus continues to create employment opportunities. Since October 2020, over 1.5 million opportunities were created, 83 % of which were directed at youth. · A significant achievement of the PYEI is that the majority of the opportunities have been accessed by the most vulnerable young people. · There are now 4.4 million young people registered on the SA Youth platform. Over 1.3 million of them have been supported to access earning opportunities. · The Youth Employment Service Programme has helped draw young people into employment – with a target of one million jobs for young for South Africans. · The National Youth Service programme (NYSP) encourages youth to be part of community service work, contributing to building the nation. · SAYouth.mobi provides job and entrepreneurial opportunities, youth programmes and skills development which include digital skills. · NYDA offers a grant programme for young entrepreneurs to access financial and non-financial business support to enable them to establish or grow their businesses. · Youth has also been the beneficiaries of the country’s comprehensive social security policies aimed to alleviate and reduce poverty, vulnerability, social exclusion and inequality. To name a few,
¾ Provision of no-fee schools and national school nutrition programmes in high schools. ¾ Financial assistance to youth who wish to further their studies through NSFAS has supported over 1 million students. ¾ COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant (SRD Grant) extended until March 2025, while government considers social security policy reforms and a funding model. · Through the establishment of TVET colleges, youth have an additional avenue through to sharpen their skillsets and gain work experience. |
| Sport as a vehicle to advance youth development. | · We believe in the transformative power of sport to build an inclusive and socially cohesive society as well as develop our youth.
· Our Sports for Youth Development (S4YD) programme will reach out to young people to invoke a sense of national pride, patriotism and foster national heritage. · Through advancing sport among our young people, we aim to create a sense of belonging, transcend societal divides and unite for a common cause. · Sport is an effective medium to promote development, social cohesion and solidarity among our young people and nation. · Sporting successes such as our multiple wins of the Rugby World Cup has demonstrated the power of sport in nation building. · South Africa was also uplifted as the first African country to host the 2010 FIFA Men’s Soccer World Cup, Women’s Netball World Cup as well as the Women’s T20 Cricket in 2023. · SA has a Women in Sport Policy aimed to steer women empowerment within the SA sport industry for equality as we venture towards a fully cohesive nation. |
| Join in our nation’s strides in sport development by participating in or supporting youth tournaments. | · In drawing more young people into sport, the 2024 Youth Month Netball, Para Valley and Rugby tournaments will be convened as curtain raisers for the National Youth Day event.
· Tournament winners will be honoured at an awards ceremony on Youth Day. · Also, the 2024 Youth Day Big Walk will take place on the morning of 16 June as part of promoting sport. |
