Celebrating and Commemorating Youth Day

June 16 Youth day (1976)
HISTORY MADE OVER A DAY
June 16 is not just another commemorated day in South African history. It is a day that led to the existence of the country’s freedom day. Looking at the country’s historical days, it comes as common sense to say, we celebrate those days because of the particular events that occurred and the citizens behind these events. Let’s put in the picture a global event or day such as Christmas Day. If common sense really is common, how come this day is celebrated by all, yet differently? Questioning such sense can take forever.
My point in this is, because of globalisation, ignorance, different ways of commemorating a historical day, and uncommon common sense, tomorrow as it is ‘Youth Day’ some will be commemorating change, usage of indigenous languages and lost lives, while some celebrate just another holiday in the calendar.
The NYDA (National Youth Development Agency) has called on the nation to join them in commemorating the day, at the Orlando Stadium on the ‘crying grounds of Soweto’. If the national ruling party, ANC, is behind a certain event or celebration, don’t even ever attempt to ask whose going to attend, especially public events as such. This is inconsideration of the ANC being founders/establishers of this organising agency. So attendance to this event is unquestionable, because it has to do with power.
Power in our democratic society has been characterised by recourses. The one followed/supported by many, is the one who can provide for the whole lot, and what he has to say does not really matter. In that way the majority can easily be led falsely. That leaves our society exposed and vulnerable to corruption and bad decision making, and that’s the game of power.
Not to let focus, on the key issue, drift away. I have come to note, from invitations and advertisement of the NYDA event, that the event is bound to be a celebration rather than commemoration of the ‘youth day’. Mind you, that these are two different terms having different meanings. How do we celebrate mourned blood that was shared in pain?
The Azanian Youth Organisation (AZAYO) raised a concern of this nature on Monday. They referred to the ‘commemoration’ as a ‘party’ while saying the NYDA is dragging a historic event through the mud, and they edged fellow youth not to attend the planned event. These are questions I have to ask: Is the historic truth known to our youth, apart from the influence of power; do we live to cherish what our desist heroes died for; can we relate our modern struggle to that of the past as we celebrate or commemorate.
After having answered these questions we shall know whether to commemorate or celebrate. While thinking about this, it is important not to forget that tomorrow’s commemoration artist line-up at the Soweto stadium, is that which will resolve into a day light bash. The atmosphere prior to the event is everything close to a ‘party’ and nothing close to what defines a commemoration. The many young people who will attend will be inspired by the expected level of entertainment and also by the atmosphere, to get drunk and to use drugs. More lives destroyed are the outcome of parties.
Now in your mind predict the future of our country looking at imputes by government. Could this be our history going down the drain or ‘through the mud’? I personally cannot answer that! I mean... I even failed to answer to the NYDA invitation.

Editor Creo Nthali

Make sure to see ‘June 16 History check’ tomorrow analysis of the event on Friday.