June 16 commemorations to add to World Cup festivities

(Source)

9 June 2010

As part of the 2010 FIFA World Cup programme, the Gauteng Provincial Government will commemorate this year’s Youth Day (16 June) in a different format.

The usual wreath-laying and commemoration activities will take place on 16 June.

However, there will also be a much more festive element to the event, with a street carnival and a range of other entertainment.

Organised jointly by the Gauteng Provincial Government, the City of Johannesburg and the City of Tshwane, the Youth Day activities will kick off with the unveiling of the Tsietsi Mashinini Statue at the Morris Isaacson High School in Jabavu, Soweto. This year’s celebration will be held under the theme “Working together for youth development through action”. The theme re-affirms a call for youth to work together in improving the social conditions of young people who still live in poverty and distress.

The procession will then proceed to the Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum for the wreath-laying ceremony, where the Gauteng Premier, Nomvula Mokonyane, will be joined by Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Amos Masondo and the MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in Gauteng Nelisiwe Moerane.

The parade will then move on to Mamelodi where the family of yet another freedom martyr, Solomon Mahlangu, will be handed a new house by the City of Tshwane Executive Mayor, Gwen Ramakgopa, before a wreath-laying ceremony at Solomon Mahlangu Square at noon.

A street carnival will then lead the way to Moretele Park where the Premier is expected to deliver a keynote address. This will be followed by entertainment from local and top South African artists and end with the public viewing of the match between South Africa and Uruguay.

As we celebrate the 34th Anniversary of the June 16 1976 Uprisings, the Gauteng Provincial Government will use this opportunity to take stock of the progress made and re-dedicate energies to tackling the complex and challenging issues of promoting the development of young people.

“This year the Gauteng Provincial Government is paying particular attention to confronting the challenge of assisting young people to effectively move from the world of education to the world of work. In this regard, our approach is to ensure that young people have access to quality education that appropriately skills them for the labour market,” said the Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, Nelisiwe Moerane.

Media practitioners in Johannesburg interested in covering the event are urged to collect accreditation at the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture at 38 Rissik Street, Nedbank Building, 8th Floor (corner Market Street) from Monday, 14 June between 08h00 to 17h00.

Members of the media in Pretoria will be able to collect accreditation from the Munitoria Building in Vermeulen Street on the 11th Floor from Monday, 14 June between 08h00 to 17h00

For more information contact:
Nomazwe Ntlokwana
Tel: 011 355 7525
Cell: 083 507 8068

Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government
9 June 2010

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Although this is a very sad day in our history it is about time that we turn the frown upside down. This is a very welcoming change in the remembrance of the Hero's that made South Africa a better place for all. Let as take hands and built a better future and not destroy our past by recklessly recking everything that was carved out of our lovely country by blood sweat and tears. Victory and Freedom should be celebrated not morned.

Lets build a brighter future together and respect the people that willed change in a World not fit for humans.

by Petrus Viviers