How children today understand Youth Day

VARIOUS

What do our children know of this momentous day and what understanding do they have of what it meant for South Africa?

The SA Jewish Report asked a number of Jewish high schools to ask a few of their learners, and this is what they had to say: 

• “Youth Day symbolises a shift in our culture. It was the day that the students used their voices to say the right thing and have an impact on the resistance against the apartheid system. It was a turning point in the fight for justice. To me June 16 symbolises freedom. It was the day that caused our nation to take a step towards equality.” – Alexa Novick, King David Victory Park, grade 12. 
• “Youth Day signifies how much appreciation we should have for the bravery of the students. They played a significant role in creating the democratic South Africa we are blessed to live in.” Tehilla Menachemi, Torah Academy Girls’ High, grade 10. 
• “June 16 is the day that commemorates the struggles of the youth of South Africa living under the apartheid regime, dictating that Afrikaans would be the official language of instruction in black township schools in South Africa. These schools were characterised by poor facilities, inadequately trained teachers and segregation. This day honours the unity of school children in the fight for equal rights for students in South Africa.

  “Every day we hear about the fact that unemployment in South Africa is at its highest. The #FeesMustFall movement has called into light the question of whether education is a privilege or a right. Youth Day reminds me of the fact that although Afrikaans is no longer a compulsory language of instruction, we still have a long way to go before all South African youths are afforded equal opportunities”. – Grade 12 (17), Crawford College, Sandton. 

• “Youth Day is when children our age stood up against an unjust, unequal education system, exemplifying courage and strength. It is symbolic of the youth having a voice, which we also wish to emulate in our lives.” – Grade 11 Yeshiva College Girls. 

• “It is a day that reminds us, that as youth, it is not only a world that we are living in now, but we have the ability to transform the world into something more powerful and significant in the future.

  “Youth Day reminds us how powerful we are. In keeping June 16, 1976 in mind, we are reminded, although the people who were so influential in the June 16 Uprising, are no longer the youth of the country; they remind us how important it is to be mindful that such young people could be so impactful and so can we. We must never underestimate the power of the youth.” – Shane Bassin, King David Linksfield, grade 12.

• “To me Youth Day means that even as a minor, I have a voice and a means of expression. It is a shame that others had to die for it.” Avi Cobb, Torah Academy Boys’ High, grade 9. 
• “Youth Day… is a day we can remember the bravery of South African students to fight for their cause and reach for equality. Today, Youth Day represents the power of the youth.

  “Through recent years we have witnessed the ground-shaking possibility that the youth has to instrument change. Youth Day is a reminder that change is not dependent on age. We, the youth, have the right, responsibility and autonomy to fight for our cause. We are the future and have the power to instrument our ideal future today.” – Gila Dove. King David Victory Park, grade 12. 

•  “To me, Youth Day is a day that I can use as inspiration to make a difference. It shows that no matter how old I am or how important I am, I can make a difference. In the country we live in, it is a lesson that all of South Africa’s youth can learn. If we try to make a difference, like the children of Soweto did, we can overcome the racial differences and discrimination of our past that is still occurring today.” Crawford College Sandton, grade 11 (17). 
• “So, for all of us youth, we must not forget that if it weren’t for the protests (even at the expense of many unnecessary deaths) we might still be living in an apartheid country, since it was those protests that laid the grounds for the release of Nelson Mandela and the end of apartheid.

  “Youth Day is a public holiday and there’s nothing better for me than a relaxing day off school, but even more important than enjoying a nice long weekend, is for me to reminisce on why today is a public holiday, to think of those youth who were brave enough to fight for their rights and for me to acknowledge how privileged I am to be able to receive such a great education.” – Noam Levy, Torah Academy Boys’ High, grade 10. 

• “Youth Day is to commemorate the struggle for liberation, which was carried out by the youth and students of a divided South Africa. We as students can greatly relate to the need to fight for liberation and create unity. On this one day of my year, I am able to pay respect to the sacrifices that were made in order to gain a free and democratic South Africa.” – Josh Molin, King David Victory Park, grade 12. 
• “Youth Day is very important to me because I am reminded of the courage and strength of the students who chose to protest against the oppressive education system and I am immensely grateful to them, as well as all those who lost their lives in the fight for paving the way for me to be able to achieve a high standard of education, where students of every race and ethnicity are accommodated for.” Crawford College Sandton, grade 12 (18).

Some schools chose to name the scholars who spoke and others chose not to.