Lend an ear to youth’s woes

OUR youth is young and restless and desperately needs the attention of leaders in power. Yesterday, a group of young activists, who on December 18 left their homes and walked from Durban to Pretoria, arrived in the capital – soaked to the bone from the torrents of rain that hit some parts of the country over the past few days.

They arrived after days of living off donations of food and accommodation by generous members of society.

Their mission – to hand over a list of grievances to President Cyril Ramaphosa.

#FeesMustFall activist Mcebo Dlamini embarked on a similar walk three months ago.

In his New Year message, Ramaphosa urged young people to head to the polls this year and vote, saying it was an “opportunity for a new generation of young South Africans to exercise the right to vote and determine their own future”.

The reality is that these youngsters have begun determining their future. They have made their intentions clear. The walks they have taken part in and continue to take part in should be proof enough that young people are not only concerned about waiting for change every five years during election time but seek to effect change every day in their communities.

Their walks to the Union Buildings should never be regarded as any less important. They should be a reminder that, just like the women of 1956 marched to the Union Buildings, every generation has its own struggle.

As the president prepares yet again this year to engage different sectors of society, let it be that he portrays a genuine interest in the cries of young people, listens to them and engages them – because a restless youth is dangerous and is not what the future of our country needs.