ADDRESS
BY MEC DESBO MOHONO DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT DURING THE NATIONAL YOUTH DAY CELEBRATIONS
HELD AT DRIEHOEK FARM
NGAKA MODIRI MOLEMA DISTRICT MUNICIPALITY
ON THE, 16th JUNE 2021
Programme Director
Office of the Premier
Head of Department
Magosi a Rona
House of Traditional Leaders
All Media Houses present
Ladies and Gentlemen
On behalf of the government of the people, I convey the warmest greetings to all of you who have gathered here today and to the people of Driehoek Farm as a whole, on this important day in our calendar, National Youth Day. Bagaetsho re le puso re bone go le matshwanedi go keteka letsatsi la segopotso, se bashwa ba rona ba kileng ba ikitaya dihuba go ema kgatlhanong le tsamaiso ya Mmuso wa tlhaolele. Today marks exactly 45 full years since the dreadful day of ’76, we will forever be grateful to strides made by those young but brave lions. They have left us a lesson that it is possible for young people to stand up and confront the challenges facing them. We remember them because they have left a legacy of bravery and determination in the face of what appeared to be insurmountable difficulties.
We remember them because we would like the youth gathered here today, to follow their example of unwavering commitment, as they confront the modern day challenges of poverty and unemployment, alcohol and drug abuse, HIV/AIDS, COVID 19, illiteracy, women and child abuse and other problems that make the lives of our youth difficult. The black youth of decades ago fought against inequality. Today’s young people face more than just inequality; they are overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, self-hate and depression that do not discriminate against race, gender, sexuality or religion. Where our predecessors once fought for the security of the future, we battle for relevance. We find ourselves caught up in a cycle of constantly having to prove something, while trying to figure out who we really are in a fast-changing world.
Ladies and Gentlemen the department is not only observing this moment of JUNE 16, we also having internal programmes that we are highlighting and giving prominence to. Today we also celebrate our annual Harvest day, in giving thanks to God the Almighty and to our ancestors for all the blessings. This is also in line with the “FETSA-TLALA” programme that is been spearheaded by the office of the minister.
Thirdly this year of Umama Charlotte Mannya Maxeke, under the theme of “Growing youth employment for an inclusive and transformed society”, we are also spreading and positioning SMALL HOLDER EMPOWERMENT PROGRAMME (SHEP) to the province at large. Since the launch of this programme by Minister Thoko Dididza, the province is on the drive to sensitize and get farmers used to digital marketing and position their products for the outside world.
The department further emphasizes and make a genuine plea to all our youth in the province to embrace and love Agriculture. The sector is full of opportunities and they are just waiting to be tapped upon by our youth with their energy and fresh minds. As a youth just as your predecessors did, you must mobilize in the present to defend your future. This is bigger than all of you; it is bigger than what we know today. The future is not grim; your hopes have not been taken away. As long as you fight for the good of each other, then one day you too, the youth of today, will all be free.
KE A LEBOGA.I THANK YOU.
MEC-DESBO MOHONO
NORTH WEST DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
