The 16th of June marks the anniversary of the iconic 1976 student uprisings which took place in Soweto. It is a day of solemn remembrance for the brave youth who were struck down while peacefully rising up in rejection of the Apartheid regime’s inferior education system for black students. It is also a day for celebrating the essential role of youth in our society, as vibrant catalysts for change, and the torch bearers of our nation’s future.
We join South Africans in commemorating Youth Day. As a civil society organisation we believe that it is our responsibility to confront our past, to challenge the future and to promote a more equal and sustainable society and region. In light of the incredible international solidarity shown to the people of South Africa – which ultimately crippled Apartheid South Africa’s economy – South Africa has a responsibility to repay its historic debt to the world by playing a role in bringing about a more just world for all. SALO believes that the work we do plays a part in that larger picture, both in seeking solutions to conflicts on our continent, and in bringing about awareness and behaviour change around issues such as homophobia, gender based violence and xenophobia.
Cognizant of the important role of the youth in affecting social change, SALO strives to mainstream youth participation in all aspects of our work. SALO places a strong focus on working with youth in our community-based anti-xenophobia, LGBTI rights and gender-based violence programmes. SALO’s network includes youth from a wide array of political and student organisations, however SALO strives to prioritise the voices of black youth living in townships.