Youth Day Message – Executive Mayor Gary van Niekerk – NMBM

As we
honour the bravery of the youth of 1976, I would like to dedicate my Youth Day
message to those young people who feel that they do not have any hope for the
future. To those who see no light at the end of the tunnel. Whether their
hopelessness is due to a lack of opportunities, poverty or just the mental
strain of competing in a fast-paced world. Please do not feel alone. Seek help
in your darkest moments, but remember, most of us face societal pressures,
hopelessness and failures.

Yesterday,
I opened the Youth Trade and Export Summit at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium,
with a live broadcast on our municipal Facebook and YouTube pages. I want to
reiterate what I said. You are part of the solution. 

We want you to succeed,
as your success in business will be ours. I want to build on that
message today. Your schooling, empowerment and investment in your own
well-being are important steps for the common good. Whether you are a young
girl from Motherwell, Rosedale, Colchester, Blue Horizon Bay, Walmer Township
or whatever cultural background you are from, your positive growth as an
individual, will ultimately be one of the most important vehicles for the
betterment of Colchester, Despatch, Gqeberha, Kariega and the surrounding
peri-urban areas.

I told attendees
at the summit that I am very concerned about the high dropout rate of learners.
I quoted Proverbs 31: verses 8 and 9 to emphasize our coaltion’s pro-poor
agenda. It is heartbreaking to know that so many young people are limiting
their options in life by not completing school. In the long run, you will earn
less money and it will take much longer to get your family out of the difficult
circumstances they are facing now. 

When my coalition partners, the EFF, motioned
Council recently to consider providing sanitary pads to restore the dignity of
women, who cannot afford this necessity, we all felt the call to action. I am
aware that school learners miss school during their cycle and are thus deprived
of their right to education, as well as dignity, which the youth of 1976 fought
hard and sacrificed for.

I trust
that you will have a revitalizing long weekend and enjoy the provincial event
at the Wolfson Stadium. God bless.

Kind regards,

Cllr Gary van Niekerk

Executive
Mayor