‘Young lions’ must lead Litter horror at track
THE post-1976 youth have succumbed to a high level of ignorance with little or no interest in state affairs. This tendency is because, as young people, we do not appreciate democracy and are not willing to shed our blood for the incoming generation.
Many attacks and enemies confront young people, especially unemployment and poor education. But for far too long the post-1976 generations have not made their mark on the nation in order to pave a better way for those who follow.
We have failed to acknowledge the efforts of the heroes and heroines who selflessly committed to fight against colonisation and apartheid. And therefore, as we celebrate this Youth Day, we must repeat what it is that the nation expects of the youth of today: to follow in the footsteps of the 1976 youth and to become agents of change, continuing the struggle to achieve a better life for all.
We have the common responsibility to recall the events of 1976 so the bravery and sacrifices of that generation serves as an inspiration to our youth to work hard to contribute to solving the challenges confronting our nation.
In 1976, the youth correctly identified the challenges and tasks ahead. Today, 38 years later, our youth again face challenges and have an obligation. I am convinced the young people of 2014 are as much “young lions” as the youth of 1976.
The youth of 1976 earned this honoured title from Oliver Tambo because of their contribution to the liberation of the nation. So must the youth of 2014 earn this honoured title by ridding the nation of the legacy of apartheid and ending the scourge of poverty and underdevelopment.
Whereas the youth of 1976 fought against inferior education as part of the struggle for freedom, today’s youth should confront illiteracy and lack of skills as part of the struggle for development.
Whereas the ’76 youth used stones and barricades against repressive forces, today’s youth should use education and skills to fight poverty and unemployment.
Whereas the ’76 youth went into exile to train as soldiers of liberation, the youth of today should go to school, college and university to acquire skills to use for their advancement and the development of our country and continent.
As young lions today we must join together to say we do not do crime. We must refuse to join criminal gangs. We must respect the law and so ensure we do not end up in jail. We must join together to say no to drugs. And if we have fallen victim to drug abuse, we must go to rehab centres to save our lives. Drugs kill.
As young lions today we must join together to say we will not abuse alcohol, that we will pursue healthy lifestyles, including practising safe sex to protect ourselves from sexually transmitted infections and Aids.
As young lions we must be at the forefront of the struggle to defeat rape and violence against women and children.
As young lions we must respect the values of ubuntu and show good moral conduct. We must be role models doing our best to get good results at all our educational institutions, working with our communities and helping the poor, volunteering to improve neighbourhoods, giving respect to other community members, including the elderly and people with disabilities.
The young lions of 2014 must be both proudly South African and proudly African.
As we celebrate June 16 we must ask ourselves: what will we do to build on the extraordinary legacy which the 1976 generation of liberators bestowed upon us and future generations? It was our priceless gift and should be the firm foundation upon which we build. This should be our prayer for the future. — Siviwe Kasi aka Svige, King William’s Town BEING a parent to three young boys I saw the opportunity to attend the national motorcycle event at the East London Grand Prix track last Saturday as an exciting day out for my bike-loving family. What a huge disappointment.
Upon our arrival we decided to park away from the “maddening crowd” and find a spot on the straight that would give us pleasant views and the space for our boys to take their off-road bikes out for a ride.
We were horrified to find the road in a disgusting, filthy state – or should I say, it had become a dumpsite. I was certain my car tyres were going to burst as we made our way along the heavily littered road.
Do the organisers of these so-called national events not find it disgraceful and does the municipality not care that these events are meant to attract people, not repel them?
To make matters worse, at the end of the day as we started packing up our gear, we noticed people who had attended the event (and there weren’t many to speak of), driving off without picking up their beer cans or bottles. Their litter was left behind for someone else to (hopefully) pick up.
No bins were provided, nor were there toilet facilities unless you parked by the main stands, so ladies were wandering off into the bush and left used loo paper to blow into the bushes.
This is not the example that adults should be leaving behind for all our children. We try so hard to teach ours to respect their environment and that littering is NOT an option.
All this money is being invested into the race track, why? Do they realise the maintenance and upkeep of something that large?
The poor turnout on such a perfect winter’s day and the disregard for the environment suggests more money will be wasted. What a shame the iconic racetrack of days gone by has become just another place for people to dump! — M Labuschagne, East London