By Thato Omphile Johnson
Over the past 50 years, the youth of South Africa have played a significant role in shaping the socio-political landscape of the country. Transitioning from the 1976 student revolts, the 1980’s government destabilization, the dawn of democracy and the current youth, the architects of democracy, the youth of the country have always evolved change.
1976 can be seen as the crucible for youth expression, defiance and independence in both society and politics. In society school children who were meant to accept the status quo by staying mum and rolling over to oppression and brutality expressed their dissatisfaction with the apartheid school language policy by revolting in the streets of Soweto defying the brutal apartheid regime signifying their independence as individuals by fighting for their freedom to be able to learn, setting tone for a different political landscape in South Africa. This generation can be classified as the forebears of youth for representing the bridge between the current social structures and the future.
1980’s youth known as the lost generation were the ungovernable and militant vanguard of the anti-apartheid struggle, sacrificing their education for freedom. Leading community resistance, boycotts, targeted state unrest, destabilization of government and exposing the apartheid regime internationally. This created broader political movement, international condemnation and economic destabilization, changing the political landscape of the country.
By essentially holding government by the scrotum, the youth in the 1980’s combated the oppressive pedestal the apartheid government was on by laying the foundation for the negotiations to freedom. This generation of youth ensured South Africa was unlivable for all until it became livable for all shifting the social and political landscape from a country uncomfortable for the black majority to a country uncomfortable even for the oppressors.
The dawn of democracy for youth represented transition, restored human dignity, equal rights, and fundamental freedom ending systematic oppression and ensuring access and integration to and for all . From education, healthcare, social welfare, public spaces for youth the dawn of democracy introduced a transformative constitution, the best in the world. This generation played a vital role in transitioning the political and social landscape from violence to what we have come to know as the rainbow nation.
The youth of South Africa today known as the current architects of democracy play a significant role in addressing the inequalities of democracy and ensuring the constitution of the country is upheld. Fees Must Fall, Pretoria Girls High Hair Policy Protest High and Am I Next are all indications of a youth still defiant, expressive and independent.
Fighting for inclusive higher education for all and the decolonization of education Fees Must Fall ensured government made education accessible for all as a constitutional mandate. The Pretoria Girls High protest destigmatized coils and curls in schools allowing for black scholars to wear their hair with pride and dignity. Am I Next , a nationwide protest against GBV and femicide sparked by the death of Uyinene saw young people coming together against the brutality of abuse.
This led to the introduction of 3 new Bills meant to curb Gender Based Violence. This generation of youth plays a vital role in upholding accountability and ensuring South Africa is the great nation it is meant to be. Over the past 50 years, the youth in South Africa have always been a catalyst for change by being expressive when met with injustice, by being defiant against the status quo and expressing independence in thought and action. All change, evolution an revolution in South Africa is contributed to by the youth of South Africa.
To a militant and vibrant youth. Happy Youth Month !
