 Dancer, Mkhanyiseli Nogwaja
The Youth in Philanthropy Programme in South Africa (Yippsa) celebrated June 16th with a programme of drama, poetry, music , dance and a panel discussion to commemorate the individuals who gave their lives in the fight against apartheid.
A clear message for the programme was that honouring the past needed to be coupled with action for the future. Mr Fuad Davis, Deputy Director in the Office of the Premier (Western Cape) outlined the plans for the National Youth Development Agency which was launched simultaneously in Soweto on June 16th. Youth are defined as those individuals between the ages of 14 and 35. In the Western Cape, 7 out of 10 of the 5,2 million people in the province were under the age of 35. With figures such as these it is vital that government recognize the importance that youth development has in the reconstruction and enhancement of South Africa. Mr Davis encouraged young people to seize this opportunity to actively participate and make the difference they want to see in their communities.
Yippsa members were joined by youth from Africa Unite in a lively programme that featured special guest artist and Yippsa ambassador Zolani Mahola of Freshly Ground as well as Lindela Mjenxane, also a Yippsa ambassador and winner of the 2009 Johnny Walker Striding Man Award in the Environment category.
The event was held at The New Space Theatre at 44 Long Street and was supported by Erase, the RF Nussbaum Foundation and the HCI Foundation. |
