JOHANNESBURG, June 16 (Xinhua) -- In commemorating the Youth Day, South African President Jacob Zuma on Thursday called on his fellow countrymen to assist in ridding the society of the social ills affecting the youth.
Zuma was addressing the country in Johannesburg in a Youth Day speech commemorating the 1976 Soweto Student Uprising, which helped end the apartheid system.
The Youth Day is commemorated in remembrance of the 1976 uprising by students who took to the streets against the introduction of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in schools.
The country uses Youth Day to give homage to the role the youth played in liberating the country and the role they continue to play in the country's socio-economic and political sphere.
Zuma called on the youth to use education to improve themselves.
Zuma said, "Education is an apex priority and receives the biggest chunk of the national budget. In paying tribute to the uprising in 1976, we urge our youth to make education their apex priority too. Nothing must distract you from obtaining education. We are looking up to you as the youth, to move South Africa forward, and that you will do, armed with the most powerful weapon of all, education."
The commemorations were being held under the theme - "Youth Moving South Africa Forward."
Zuma said the Youth Day will be used to reflect about the achievements, challenges and opportunities facing the South African youth.
To improve access to education, At least 80 percent of SA public schools are now no-fee schools and 9 million children are exempted from paying school fees. In this way the country is making progress with regards to free basic education for the poor and the working class, according to Zuma.
Poverty must not prevent a child from obtaining an education, said Zuma.
He also declared war on drugs which is affecting most of the South African youths.
"Another serious and very painful matter affecting our youth is the abuse of drugs and alcohol. Indications are that between 7.5 percent and 31 percent of South Africans have an alcohol problem or are at risk. We have a duty to protect our children. The abuse of drugs is threatening to destroy many families. We appeal to our youth to say NO to drugs."
Zuma encouraged the South Africans to work with law enforcement agents to bring to book drug peddlers.
The youth, he said, should also assist in fighting child abuse and AIDS infection.
Zuma slammed those who resort to violence when expressing their grievances during student protests.
In the last month over 20 schools were burnt down in Limpopo province, Zuma said.
He said such hooliganism have no place in the country.
Zuma said, "Hooliganism and thuggery do not build nations. Such actions give an impression that we are going astray as a nation. There can be no justification for such violence in a country. We have access to government at three spheres to communicate our grievances peacefully."
"We live in a country where freedom of expression, association and of the media are enshrined in the Constitution, where we know we will not be shot and killed for staging a peaceful march to state our grievances," he added.
Seth Mazibuko, one of the student leaders during Soweto upring on June 16, 1976, told Xinhua that the youth should take a leaf of the past and tackle challenges facing them.
He encouraged the youth to fight drug abuse, unemployment, child pregnancy and burning of schools.
Popo Maja from the June 16 Foundation, challenged the South African youth to prioritize education, saying, "Let us not forget the contributions and sacrifices made by the students 40 years ago. We are calling on the young people to go to school, educate yourself and make the country the best that we all yearn for."
A variety of events were taking place across the country to mark the day.
Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa laid a wreath at a memorial centre for Hector Petersen who was shot dead by the Apartheid security agents during the Soweto uprising.
An interfaith prayer was also held in Pretoria for the country to overcome its challenges. The prayer consisted of the religions like Christian Faith, African Religion, African Independent Churches, Jewish Faith, Baha'i, Bhuddist, Hindu, Islam and Rastafarian.
