Given a chance, can our youth not change too?
THERE are youth and there are youth.
That was the response from Ela Gandhi on whether today’s crop of ANC youth leaders have forgotten her grandfather Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence.
This is in light of former veteran ANC leaders such as John Langalibalele (JL) Dube and Inkosi Albert Luthuli who were influenced by Gandhi’s non-violent teachings during apartheid.
However, these days violence by the youth has seemingly marred the image the ANC held dear. Ela Gandhi said it was therefore vital that prominent Gandhi scholar Anil Nauriya was tasked with delivering a lecture on the early relationship between her grandfather and the ANC – with 2012 being the party’s centenary year.
The lecture Gandhi and the Founders of the ANC will be delivered tomorrow (Thursday) at the Botanical Gardens Conference Centre.
It will also serve as a platform to mark the launch of the annual Salt March. This celebrates the life of Gandhi and Luthuli who were both vocal in their support for the development of a culture of non-violence and Ubuntu.
Speaking on the youth, Gandhi said: “Perhaps some have forgotten our legacy or do not even know about it but there are also many who strive to improve the lives of the people of South Africa and work hard to achieve this in a dedicated way.
“It is these gems whom we need to support as future leaders. There is no doubt our youth is in dire need of support, direction and guidance. Through lectures like these and through interaction with significant others they can change.”
She said when her grandfather arrived in South Africa as a 24-year-old he was a totally different person with many hang-ups for which he was often criticised by those who wished to see only the ugly side. “But in the 21 years that he lived here, he dramatically changed and become a different person – the person the world reveres and regards as an icon to be emulated.
“This happened as a result of the influence of other eminent thinkers and people with whom he interacted and the books he read. Can our youth too not change, given a chance and correct guidance?”
She said Nauriya, an Indian national, was chosen due to his extensive research into the relationship between JL Dube and Gandhi and other eminent people of that time.
“In promoting our common South African nationhood it is important to hear what people from outside this country have to say about our leaders and our history.” Nauriya, who will arrive in Durban today (Wednesday), said Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violence may have shaped the ANC, but the early leaders of the ANC also influenced the peace icon.
The Salt March will take place on April 15 at 7am.
The theme this year is Our Legacy of Non-violence – A Reflection on the ANC Centenary.
It will start at the Phoenix Settlement and will proceed to the King’s Park Athletics Stadium opposite the Moses Mabida Stadium.
Buses will be provided from various places on request, to the Phoenix Settlement and from the stadium.