R2K Youth Day Statement: The youth must revolt against the deeply corrupt and uncaring government!
On this day, 45 years ago, the youth of South Africa challenged the Apartheid government by protesting against the imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in schools across the country. Their courage in the face of police brutality changed the socio-political landscape in South Africa and raised the plight of ordinary people internationally. Today, as we commemorate their spirit and courage of standing up against an unjust system, we challenge the youth in 2021 to revolt against the deeply corrupt and uncaring government led by the African National Congress.
Last week, the National Institute of Communicable Diseases announced that South Africa has officially entered the third wave of Covid-19 infections. But we are witnessing a snail-paced progression when it comes to the vaccine rollout in the country. South African youth should not remain docile while innocent people continue to die in huge numbers, it’s time to hold this government accountable. Like the youth of 1976, young people must stand up and demand equitable and affordable access to the desperately needed vaccines.
Corruption and incompetent government officials mean a certain group of the population might not even be inoculated. The country was shocked to learn about another tender scandal involving the National Health Minister, Dr. Zweli Mkhize, who has since been placed on special leave. As the Right2Know Campaign, we’ve long warned that corruption will destroy our nation. Today ordinary South Africans are suffering because resources meant to improve their everyday lives are channeled somewhere else by corrupt politicians and administrators. Young people should unite and join the fight against corruption.
Youth Unemployment!
The unemployment rate has hit a new record high at a staggering 33.4%. This Youth Day, the Right2Know Campaign calls on the government supported by all roleplayers including the private sector to deliver on its promise of addressing joblessness. We cannot continue with the rhetoric while we are sitting with a ticking time bomb. We also believe that young people are struggling to access job opportunities because they can’t afford the internet, which is where some of these opportunities are mostly shared or advertised. It’s even harder for them to upskill themselves using free online courses because of high data costs. We, therefore, continue to campaign for affordable, accessible, and secure internet.
End illegal surveillance now!
Global surveillance is real and we need to unite and raise awareness on how it’s been abused by governments, police, and sometimes corporates to silence dissenting voices across the world. On Thursday, 17 June, we will be co-hosting a press conference in relation to illegal spying of civil society organisations, unions, student movements, and journalists by the State Security Agency. Nearly two years later, not a single person has been held accountable for such violations. We demand answers. Read the full statement here.
Defend the right to protest!
The right to protest is pivotal for the proper functioning of a democracy and the ability for ordinary people to demand accountability and justice. But our right to protest is under threat. The government is criminalising protesters, innocent citizens continue to die at the hands of police and no one is held accountable. As citizens, it is our duty and our responsibility to defend the right to freedom of assembly. Also, there’s an urgent need to demilitarise policing in South Africa. Incidents of police brutality are escalating across the country. We call on young people to continue to challenge this as an attack on our constitutional right to protest.
Say no to Xenophobia: Let’s exercise the spirit of UBUNTU!
We strongly condemn the actions of those who are organising a march with xenophobic undertones planned for youth day in Gauteng. We also call on political leaders to refrain from a narrative that seeks to propose foreign nationals as the problem in this country which we view as an unfortunate attempt to divert attention from the real frustrations and genuine challenges faced by communities. We cannot allow a situation where foreign nationals are used as a proxy for political battles. The government must put in place, strategies to mitigate the simmering tensions fuelled by certain political organizations that have been polarizing society with their xenophobic utterance.
To mark Youth Day, R2K in Western Cape will be partnering with the Western Cape United Safety Front in hosting a Youth Dialogue under the theme: “Past – Present together we can bring change” at Salt River Community House in Cape Town. We will also be hosting Instagram Live Conversation on Defending the right to protest: Lessons from the 1976 uprising from 3PM.
EVENT DETAILS:
Youth Dialogue
Venue: Salt River Community House,
41 Salt River Road, Salt River
Date: Wednesday, 16 June 2021
Time: 09 AM
R2K Youth Month Instagram Live Conversations
Topic: Defending the right to protest: Lessons from the 1976 uprising!
Host: Moeketsi Monaheng, R2K
Guest: Busi Zasekhaya, Right2Protest
Date: Wednesday, June 16
Time: 03 PM
Join us LIVE on Instagram
For further comment contact:
Thami Nkosi, R2K Interim Programme Coordinator: 062 624 5992
Nomacebo Mbayo, R2K Western Cape Organiser: 078 762 6013
Moeketsi Monaheng, R2K Gauteng Organiser: 078 041 7402
