Paint YOUR June 16th with the footprints of '76

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world" words by the late Nelson Mandela

June 16th, a day that not only pays homage to the students of '76 but also acts as a platform to compare today's youth with that of 1976. Let's face it, when we look at the youth of today, nothing but disgusted clicks and stereotypes paint a rather vivid picture of the disgrace we have become. It is no wonder we don't even try anymore, I mean "the battle is already won for us so sorry for smoking up today's privileges".

Education is not what it was seen as back in '76, when students took a stand and said "I need to understand what I am being taught in order to make the difference I need to make in my  community" .Today, education is seen as something that someone simply has to have after all it is a basic human right. This creates the mentality of degrading the importance of education simply because there is no hope of making it out of the hood so why bother trying. 

The beautiful thing about the technological era we are living in that with a switch of a button, we gain access to the lives of celebrities who make that particular life of fame and fortune look so desirable yet so unattainable,forgetting that the very celebrities built their life on education and hard work. Social media has not only made it possible to keep up with the latest celebs but also keep up with the lives of our family and friends.It is with great pride that we celebrate their successes on Instagram but what about little Vusi who does not see a future beyond his worn out uniform and poverty stricken community. 

When I put on my high school uniform on June 16, not only am I reminded of the blood shed in '76 all in the name of education but as well as the sweat and tears that had to be poured out in order to show that it CAN BE DONE, CHANGE CAN HAPPEN.

All we need to do is simply take a book and READ.

One thing I admire about people particularly young people is the potential they hold, nothing beats a young person who has the drive to not only make a success of them self despite the hardships but to also make a difference and show that young Vusi that it is possible.

As you put on your uniform in commemoration of June 16, remind yourself that this uniform is not only to pay homage to the youth of 1976 but to remind the youth that the dreams that linger on in their sleep are in actual fact VALID. All they have to do is realize that education is the key to unlock the doors of endless possibilities.
Make the youth of 1976 PROUD by living the dream they died for.