Youth take action
The youth of Grahamstown stood together on 15 June and celebrated Youth Day with a colourful and soulful event organised by the pupils of the Diocesan School for Girls (DSG) and St Andrew’s College. The event followed the theme of ‘Youth take Action’ and it was organised “for the youth, by the youth”.
It has become an annual unique event as youngsters from all corners of Grahamstown get together and celebrate being young, yet also remember the inequalities of the past and those who lost their lives on June 16 1976. The highlight for all was the surprise guest appearance of South African cricket legend Makhaya Ntini.
Ntini addressed the large crowd and reminded the audience to always remember where you come from and stated that he will always belong in the Eastern Cape as the Eastern Cape made him who he is. He encouraged the youth to take action, but the right action. Ntini recalled how after his cricket skills were discovered and he went to Dale College he couldn’t speak a word of English.
“I did not miss the opportunity to have an education even though I didn’t speak a word of English,” said Ntini. “I had to struggle, but I chose the right direction.”
Other items on the programme included music by the Prep Marimbas, a St Andrew’s band, prayers, profound speeches by the Heads of DSG and St Andrew’s and Grade 12 learners, gumboot dancing by Eluxolweni children, a poem in Afrikaans by learners from PJ Olivier, an energetic dance performance by the Kingswood pupils, a rap performance by Mary Waters and Graeme College pupils, inspiring singing by the DSG soul choir and a blessing from Bishop Thabo Makgoba.
DSG Head girl, Ntombesizwe Vabaza, key organiser of the event concluded the event by encouraging the audience to find their “inner child”. White doves were then released by Grade 12 learners with the audience cheering loudly.
