Join Iziko Museums for a virtual discussion this Youth Day
Media images and interview requests, please contact:
Zikhona Jafta at mediaofficer@iziko.org.za
In commemoration of Youth Day on Tuesday, 16 June 2020 at 14h00, Iziko Museums of South Africa is hosting a virtual conversation under the theme, Youth Power: Growing South Africa together in the period of COVID-19.
While Youth Day comes as a commemoration of and tribute to the youth of 1976 who protested against apartheid laws – today’s youth face complex challenges of unemployment, poverty, inequality, crime and, most recently, the various impacts of COVID-19. This virtual conversation will highlight these challenges, featuring speakers from across South Africa who will both touch on their work and share their experiences of youth power today.
Speakers include South African author and public speaker, Candice Mama – who will speak on forgiveness, specifically in relation to the experience of losing her father at the hands of apartheid agent, Eugene De Kock; political activist, Chumani Maxwele – who will speak on the important and continuous role of the #RhodesMustFall and #FeesMustFall movements in questioning institutional racism and colonial continuities; youth leader, Lindokuhle Patiwe – who will also speak on the Fallist movements; Founding member of DCO Matiwane Youth League and its President in 1979, Sipho Shezi – who will speak on his involvement in the struggle against apartheid, as well as his work post-1994; and Founder of the Women Lead Movement, Melene Rossouw – who will contribute a legal perspective, looking into the role of youth in South Africa’s legal practice and constitutional democracy.
In celebrating, commemorating and connecting with young South Africans, Youth Day serves as a reminder that young people were at the forefront of the struggle for liberation from apartheid, and emphasizes the important role youth continue to play in strengthening South Africa’s democracy.
The event will take place via Zoom on Tuesday, 16 June 2020 at 14h00.
Please note: Password to Zoom will be sent via email on the day of the event.
Register to participate via Quicket events online: https://qkt.io/zrKMLP
For further details please contact Wandile Kasibe on 072 8708966 or at gwandile@gmail.com / wkasibe@iziko.org.za
ENDS
Issued by: Ellen Agnew
Communications Coordinator: Iziko Museums of South Africa
Telephone: 021 481 3830 Email: eagnew@iziko.org.za
Website: www.iziko.org.za
Issued on behalf of the Office of the CEO, Iziko Museums of South Africa
About the speakers
CANDICE MAMA | Forgiveness Redefined
Candice Mama is the author of Forgiveness Redefined. She started working in forgiveness, reconciliation and trauma after forgiving apartheid assassin, Eugene De Kock, for the murder of her father. Mama’s passion lies in healing trauma and redefining one’s own narrative after pain. She uses multiple sources to do so, including speaking, writing, contributing to global dialogues, and utilising creative platforms to spread the message of internal peace, hope and forgiveness.
CHUMANI MAXWELE | The Role of Youth in Activism in South Africa’s Democracy
Chumani Maxwele is an activist and public intellectual who was involved in the #RhodesMustFall and #FeesMustFall movements that questioned white supremacy, institutional racism and Eurocentric curricular at institutions of higher learning. Maxwele is a Master’s degree candidate at the University of Cape Town.
LINDOKUHLE PATIWE | Fallism and the Struggle for Free Decolonised Education
Lindokuhle Patiwe is a post-grad student at the University of Cape Town, studying the links between the philosophy of a people and their language. He is a young activist interested in social justice for Black people. He identifies himself as a ‘Fallist’ and constitutional abolitionist. He is also a member of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC), and leads a provincial structure of its student wing, the Pan Africanist Student Movement of Azania (PASMA).
MELENE ROSSOUW | The Role of Youth in South Africa’s Legal Practice and Constitutional Democracy
Melene Rossouw is a versatile, innovative and results-driven female with a broad skills-set. She is an attorney by profession with more than 12 years working experience in the legal, governmental and non-governmental spheres. Some of the positions she has held are attorney, legal researcher, national cabinet committee secretary, special advisor to the minister, ministerial spokesperson, special projects manager and strategic partnerships and advocacy director. Rossouw has had the privilege of serving in respected offices such as The Constitutional Court of South Africa, Western Cape High Court, The Presidency of South Africa and two National Ministries. In 2017, Rossouw co-founded the Women Lead Movement and currently serves as an Executive Director in the organisation.
About Iziko Museums of South Africa (Iziko)
Iziko operates 11 national museums, the Planetarium and Digital Dome, the Social History Centre and three collection‑specific libraries in Cape Town. The museums that make up Iziko have their own history and character, presenting extensive art, social and natural history collections that reflect our diverse African heritage. Iziko is a public entity and public benefit organisation that brings together these museums under a single governance and leadership structure. The organisation allows *free access to all individuals on commemorative days, (*excluding the Castle of Good Hope, Groot Constantia and Planetarium and Digital Dome). Visit our webpage at www.iziko.org.za, join our online community on Facebook (www.facebook.com/IzikoMuseums), Instagram (@izikomuseumssa) or follow us on Twitter (@Iziko_Museums) for regular updates on events, news and new exhibitions.
