Exciting Youth Day Celebrations in Paarl East

On Thursday, 16 June 2016, around 400 people from Paarl East were reminded of the significance of the events that took place 40 years ago on 16 June 1976. The Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport, in partnership with Drakenstein Municipality, hosted the Youth Day celebration at the Paarl Thusong Centre.

The event was held to promote various forms of arts and culture and to empower the youth. A representative of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) spoke about the opportunities that they offer, which include helping entrepreneurs to build their businesses. 

The audience, including youth from the surrounding areas, were entertained by performers from the Zip Zap circus and the UWC band to name but a few. The most captivating performance of the afternoon was the Youth Day production, featuring Indoni Dance Academy from Khayelitsha, whose emotional dance performance moved the audience.

Drakenstein Mayor Conrad Poole told the youth who attended the event to grab the opportunities offered to them with both hands. “Be committed to making something of yourselves,” he said.

Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais said arts and culture have the power to unite and build a nation of different cultural backgrounds. “I would like to see emerging stars hailing from Paarl or the wider Cape Winelands community on the provincial, national and international stages in the very near future,” said the Minister.

Youth Day is a symbol of our power as individuals to change and improve our environments when we work BETTER TOGETHER.