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With opportunity comes responsibility
In South Africa, Youth Day commemorates the Soweto uprising: a protest that screamed for change, and was for the greater good. We all recall the iconic photograph of Hector Pieterson that was a cry for help globally.
AUDREEN MUREWA
The current youth intends to create more iconic and revolutionary images – moments that have more meaning than the frame showcased; moments that call for change and improvement and growth. But rather than a photograph that is filled with pain, the new generation intends to showcase more hopeful emotions, where great pain isn’t the essence. It intends to create platforms where the world listens to them.
Youth Day is a reminder that the youth can make change happen if we are united. It’s a reminder of our value, and is empowering. We can improve situations. We are reminded of the opportunities we have, and how we can use them to our full potential. However, with opportunity comes responsibility.
Lockdown may have hindered our ambitions to go out into the world and tackle things head-on or make bigger contributions to our communities, but as a resilient group, South African youth have managed to process the situation well. Some of us have even contributed to a wave of volunteerism: helping to launch virus-tracking software, community-aid tools, and ventilator blueprints. Medical students have become makeshift doctors.
On Youth Day, we are reminded of our power as well as our objective to make things better for the future. We are reminded to fight for what we truly believe in so those around us are treated better and the younger generation will enjoy the luxuries we fought for. Forty-four years ago, the youth fought against the apartheid system, with their education and families at heart. Now, 44 years later, the youth fight against COVID-19, with their education and families at heart. This year, we will commemorate the fought-for freedom at home and online where possible, thus helping to fight for the health and safety of fellow South Africans and future generations.
- Audreen Murewa is in Grade 10 at King David High School Victory Park.