In memory of the spirit of June 16, 1976, the Limpopo Legislature commemorated the 30th Anniversary of the Soweto Uprising by hosting a Youth Parliament at Shingwedzi Multi Purpose Centre in Malamulele on Friday.

More than 600 youths from all persuasions, backgrounds and the whole province deliberated on how they can contribute in the development of the societies in which they live.

Youth Parliament is an annual event aimed at encouraging the youth to speak their minds and give suggestions on youth matters in preparation for responsible future leadership. The theme of this year’s event is: Age of hope, deepening youth participation in development. Last year, the event was held at the Mapulaneng Multi-Purpose Community Centre, Bushbuckridge.

During Friday’s event, youths debated issues like Youth and Unemployment, Sustainable Economic Growth, Ritual Murder, Human Rights, African Renaissance, Moral Degeneration, Further Education, HIV/Aids, Youth and Arts and other contemporary issues.

When officially opening the Youth Parliament, the Speaker of the Limpopo Legislature, Dr. Tshenuwani Farisani, said the challenges of today’s youth are enormous and they needed to be tackled in a wise way. He said their world differs by millions of miles from that of the class of ’76. He said it is surprising to see young people becoming spectators in the ever-changing world instead of joining the war against unemployment, illiteracy and crime.

“Today’s enemy is not visible, like in 1976 and the eighties. One of the biggest enemies to humankind today is HIV/Aids. The enemy tortures you slowly until your body succumbs to death.”

A young deaf person, Annah Mothapo (27), from the Deaf Foundation of Limpopo, with the assistance of an interpreter, indicated the challenges faced by the deaf in our democratic country. She illustrated that it is painful to learn that the deaf cannot access information like other young community members. She indicated that sign language should be acknowledged and more interpreters have to be trained. She futher indicated that the deaf will never become free until such time when their language is taken seriously so that they may be able to participate in all the activities in human life.

Florence Masakona, the chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Quality of Life, Status of Women, Youth and Disabled People in the Limpopo Legislature, said the resolutions of the Youth Parliament, just like those of any parliament, will be channelled through the Portfolio Committee and thereafter taken to the Legislature for adoption. “The adoption means they are taken seriously and thereafter forwarded to the Executive Council for implementation by different departments.”