The future is in the hands of youth

At my first job interview, one of the panel members asked me where my birthplace was.

Without any hesitation I gave a great narration of where I was born, a village in the former Gazankulu homeland, known as Nkwinya-Mahembhe.

It is important that I dedicate this Youth Month to a fellow villager, the iconic Sam Masana Nzima, who exposed the suffering and senseless killings of unarmed and defenceless youth, through the lens of a camera.

He says that as a dedicated photojournalist, leading to the massacre of June 16 1976, brave young people – male and female – made him realise that young people have got the power to change things.

He says that being a journalist at the time wasn’t a good career choice because they were subjected to unjust rules, assaults and, at times, getting killed. In his case, he was placed under house arrest.

He fled Johannesburg and came back to the village to pursue business.

The iconic Hector Pieterson picture frustrated the backers of apartheid, and that government reacted more violently, refusing to admit that the regime would be overthrown.

Today, the political, social and economic situation in the country is of concern. Irrespective of political affiliation, it is our right to challenge, investigate and seek legal opinion on irregularities by politicians.

Drug and alcohol abuse, crime and party politics have crippled youthempowering institutions.

The ailing economy has a huge effect on the poor. We are subjected to unemployment, harsh living conditions, and are isolated from playing a role in the economy due to the poor funding of education.

It is in our hands to fulfil the dream of economic freedom. Salute to a village icon.

Bethwell Xiviti Nkwinya-Mahembhe, Limpopo