The Matjhabeng Local Municipality this year celebrated Youth Day on 16 June by not only honouring the youth, but also remembering the elderly.
The executive mayor, Thanduxolo Khalipha, accompanied by Human Settlements minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi, and also MEC Mxolisi Dukwana, handed over the keys to a new home to the 75-year-old Nozipiwo Albertin Sifuba of ward 17.
Sifuba was one of the first citizens in the ward and has been unable to build a house for herself since she took up residence there.
After the handover, the festivities continued into Nyakallong, Allanridge, where young and old gathered to enjoy song, dance, poetry and drama.
“The arts continue to play a vital role in the community as a vessel to tell our stories,” said Dukwana, advocating for such platforms to be made available on a larger scale.
Khalipha reiterated government’s commitment to move residents whose houses have been affected by flooding in the area, stating that preparations are underway.
In her keynote address, Kubayi encouraged the youth to make use of opportunities provided to them through government initiatives.
Kubayi furthermore urged young people to refrain from partaking in negative activities such as crime and substance abuse and instead seek to improve their lives by pursuing education and entrepreneurship.
Representatives of the National Youth Development Agency (Nyda), the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) and the Department of Social Development addressed the youth, and informed them about different opportunities and types of assistance available to them, including studying and business opportunities.
