Working together for youth development through action

“OUR NATION IN CONVERSATION: The role of youth in a changing socio-political environment”

On 15 and 16 June, Iziko Museums and Robben Island Museum’s Education and Public Programmes Department commemorated the bravery of the youth of 1976 with youth activities to promote social cohesion, nation building and reconciliation. Activities ranged from special tours and workshops to an inter-generational dialogue between youth and our senior citizens.

This year’s youth month celebrations also coincide with our country’s hosting and the rest of Africa’s greatest achievements – the 2010 Soccer World Cup. As the country showcases its creativity, diversity, rich heritage and cultural landscape to the rest of the world, this June also marked a historic moment when the world remembered with millions of South Africans, the winter of June 1976, when South African police opened fire on an unarmed youth protest organised in Soweto thirty four years ago.

Through this youth programme we asked: how can we engage our youth to interpret freedom through creative means, thereby adding value to their intellectual development?

This youth event endeavoured to build a healthy youth civic participation through critical thinking and cultural engagement. The programme commenced at the Iziko Slave Lodge, where participating youth were taken through the current Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela (Aah! Dalibhunga) exhibition entitled Mandela: leader, comrade, negotiator, prisoner and statesman. This exhibition’s timeline narrates a story of a world statesman whose leadership on social harmony and coexistence surpasses the boundaries of time and history. From the Iziko Slave Lodge, the programme proceeded to Robben Island Museum, where participating youth were exposed to the rich history of their forefathers, whose indelible legacy is enshrined in the country’s collective memory.

On the Island the youth engaged with each other on issues pertaining to leadership and their role in South Africa’s dynamic society, Africa, the Disapora and the world.

The programme concluded at the Nelson Mandela Gateway on 16 June, with an intergenerational dialogue between youth and senior citizens. This dialogue featured Lionel Davis (ex-Robben Island political prisoner), Natalia Da Rocha (Creative director of the Applauz Arts Initiative), Athi Mongezeleli Joja (young activist and member of the Gugulective), Euodia Samson (Actress & Motivational Speaker), Charmika Samaradiwakera (Youth Leader) and Sipho Msomi (Heritage educator & Ex-Robben Island prisoner). The session was facilitated by Melody Botya (RIMYouth Leader).

For more information about the programme please contact Wandile Goozen Kasibe (Iziko Public Programmes Coordinator) on 021 481 3804/13 or email: wkasibe@iziko.org.za or Vanessa Mitchell (Adult Heritage Education Programmes Officer RIM Education and Public Programmes) on (021-4095104) (vanessam@robben-island.org.za).

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