Youth Day - 16 June 2012

16 June - Youth Day is commemorated in South Africa on an annual basis and marks a day in South African history as the start of the Soweto riots of 1976. Youth Day is the day when the youth of the country took a stand and protested against the apartheid government's edict that all instruction in black schools would be in Afrikaans.

16 June 2012 paints a different picture though. The Minister for Social Development Albert Fritz hosted a Youth Day celebration at the Cloetisville Stadium in Stellenbosch. Youth from all over the Western Cape were given an opportunity to showcase their talents in a bid to show their fellow peers that positive life choices equals positive social behaviour. Members of the community were indeed in awe at the musical talents of the Mitchell's Plain Brass Band and Izivungu vugu.

The ABC group showed the crowd exactly how break dancing is done, whilst the Woelag performers spread their positive message of a drug-free community. The young men from Chrysalis Academy provided a physical interpretation of positive life choices by performing a march regimen to the beat of a drum.

A fun-filled day was held by all but with a positive message that the Department of Social Development provides alternative opportunities to youth through their programmes, whilst youth use these opportunities to make positive contributions to their communities making life better together.

The Chrysalis Academy showcasing their marching talents.	Youth from the MOD centre at Rietenbosch Primary School showcasing their dancing talents.
Not to be outdone, youth from the Youth Empowerment Action showcasing their talents.	Youth from the Mitchell's Plain Brass Band skilfully playing their instruments in celebration of Youth Day.