AS promised, here is what youth day in South Africa was supposed to be about...google it if you need to

16 June is a public holiday in South Africa and is known as Youth Day.

Previously known as Soweto day, the day commemorates the start of what is known as the "Soweto Riots" which started on 16 June 1976 when a large band of schoolchildren gathered in Orlando, Soweto and began to march in protest of the Bantu education system. A system characterised by separate schools and universities, poor facilities, overcrowded classrooms and inadequately trained teachers.

The Soweto protests galvanised other parts of the country, and became the focus point of a new, internal movement for freedom. Many pupils were killed but it is the name of on Hector Pietersen which personified the riots and was immortalised in the iconic photograph where he is carried by a fellow student after being shot by police. The photograph was published in print media throughout the world and is now featured at the Soweto Memorial where he fell.

The riots now live in the history books and media archives but the effects are felt to this day. The Bantu system has been banished and the rights have been amended, all South Africans (young and old) now enjoy equal rights and the inequalities of the past are being adressed by government through various laws and programs.

On Youth Day, we commit ourselves to ensuring the prosperity, freedom and future of South Africa by celebrating our commitment and investment in our youth! We remind ourselves of the priveledges and responsibilities the rights embody and celebrate the importance of "The Children" Mandela taught us to love so much.

We sometimes forget to celebrate what it means to be young and free in this wonderful country and I think its necessary that we recommit our hearts and hands to our priveledge and responsibility of taking care of the youth that are to carry us, as South Africans and as a country, into the future!