Pretoria: As South Africa observes Youth Month, the Cabinet has urged all societal sectors to back initiatives focused on empowering young individuals through education, skills development, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities. This call was made during a media briefing by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, following a Cabinet meeting on Wednesday. The month serves as a moment to honor the legacy of the youth of 1976 while assessing progress in expanding opportunities for younger generations in a democratic South Africa.
According to South African Government News Agency, the national programme commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising kicks off a year-long initiative to honor the sacrifices of the 1976 student uprising. This event was a pivotal moment in South Africa's liberation struggle and aims to inspire a new generation to advance freedom, justice, and equality. As part of the government's Milestones of Freedom programme, the anniversary will foster dialogue on contemporary challenges facing youth, such as unemployment, mental health, access to education, gender-based violence, and social inclusion.
The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to preserve the legacy of 1976 while enhancing youth participation in nation-building and socio-economic development. A series of activities will unfold over the next year to boost investment in youth development. The Minister emphasized the country's celebration of freedom milestones, noting significant achievements since democracy's advent, including access to housing, electricity, water, education, healthcare, and social protection.
The government plans to launch the Milestones of Freedom Campaign under the theme 'Honouring the Past, Delivering the Future' on 18 June 2026 at the Union Buildings. Ntshavheni also mentioned Cabinet's support for the 70th Commemoration of the 1956 Women's march, which will be part of the National Milestones of Freedom events, marking the start of a national programme commemorating the historic march.