Issued by: GCIS
Herewith, the official 1999 National Youth Day Programme of the National Youth Commission.
7.00 - 8.30 am
Wreath-laying ceremony at the Hector Peterson Memorial. President Nelson Mandela and youth leaders will lay 23 wreaths to commemorate the death of Hector Peterson who was the first victim of police shooting in the 1976 school uprisings.
12.30 - 9.00 pm
The People's Concert component of the Inauguration event is the NYC's flagship event on National Youth Day. As the primary national event on Youth Day this year, the NYC opted to combine its traditional event with the Inauguration rather than to have a separate national event on the same day. The concert will start with a half-hour formal programme targeted towards the youth of South Africa. The Chairperson of the National Youth Commission, Mahlengi bhengu, will deliver a farewell message on behalf of youth to Mr Mandela and present a special youth pledge to the new President. A special youth song composed by one of South Africa's well-known artists, Sello "Chicco" Twala will be performed live at the event. The full programme for this event is attached.
The formal programme of the People's Concert will be followed by performances by various South African and African musicians.
10.00 am - 2.15 pm
Joint NYC / SAFA Programme at FNB Stadium. Preceding the soccer match between South Africa and Zimbabwe, SAFA and the NYC have worked jointly to present a programme of cultural and sporting activities focussing on youth. President Thabo Mbeki has been invited for the kick-off to the main match.
NYC/E-tv/Robben Island Youth Day Project
"Bridging the Gap" is a 5-day educational and cultural activities programme convened by E-TV, the National Youth Commission and the Robben Island Museum. The programme will explore the legacy of 16 June and its meaning to young people today. Drawing on youth participants from all nine provinces, the programme starts at the Hector Petersen Memorial on 12 June and culminates in a prime time television broadcast on E-TV on National Youth Day.
The 18 young people will convene in Johannesburg on the morning of 12 June. The process will start with a visit by youth delegates to various relevant sites in Soweto on 12 June, where they will be received by activists of the era. Participants will then join 1976 activists, workshop facilitators and participating bands - like Abashanti and Tribe - on a train to Cape town. A workshop and cultural activities programme will run throughout each phase of the journey from Soweto to Robben Island. Part of the programme will involve the development of a special youth song which will be sung live on E-TV for the first time on 16 June. A Youth Day concert by leading bands will be held for 100 young people, VIPs and others on the Island. All aspects of the programme will be broadcast at 8 pm on E-TV. Participants will return to their provinces on the 17 June.
Issued by Paul Johnson, Communications Director.
For more information please contact Monde Mkalipi on 082 575 3976.
14 June 1999