Youth Day: “Tackle your obstacles”

Premier Stan Mathabatha has urged the youth to confront the obstacles that could prevent them from achieving their mission of economic freedom in their lifetime.

Mathabatha was addressing thousands of youths from all over the province during the National Youth Day celebrations held at the Univen Stadium on Tuesday. The event was also attended by leaders from government, including MECs from various provincial government departments, the executive mayor of the Vhembe district municipality, Cllr Tshitereke Matibe, and numerous dignitaries.

Most of the leaders and thousands of school children wore school uniforms and took part in the march that preceded the formal programme at the stadium.

Addressing the theme Youth moving South Africa forward, Mathabatha told the youth that their mission of economic freedom in their lifetime would remain a distant dream if they did not tackle the obstacles of alcohol and substance abuse, teenage sex, pregnancies, laziness and "the demon of easy come" head-on.

"What you simply have to understand is that you are not the generation of 1976. You are a unique generation, most of you born after our freedom and democracy. In this way, you have your own unique set of challenges," he added. He also mentioned that the province was lucky as it was comprised of mostly young people.

According to him, the youth of a country are its greatest resource and non-diminishing asset. "We say you are our greatest resource, because each one of you carries with him- or herself a God-given ability and talents to contribute towards our efforts to create a better life for all."

During the ceremony, the acting provincial general manager of the SABC, Mr James Shikwambane, expressed his appreciation of the partnership they have developed with the Limpopo government. He said it would help “in building the common value and the mandate of the radio of informing and educating the society.” He said that in all the programmes of the three radio stations this month, they would emphasise the development of young people, so that they could learn how to sustain themselves.

After the formal programme, the youths were treated to music by well-known South Africa artists such as DJ Cleo, DJ Lacosta, Professor, Mopedi, DJ Shimza, Taki and Rofhiwa, and many others.

Date:19 June 2015

By: Elmon Tshikhudo

Elmon Tshikhudo started off as a photographer. He developed an interest in writing and started submitting articles to local as well as national publications. He became part of the Limpopo Mirror family in 2005 and was a permanent part of the news team until 2019.

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