In our future, skin colour won't determine success
Note to editors: The following statement was distributed at a press conference hosted at UCT today by Mbali Ntuli, DA Youth Federal Chairperson.
Today I am pleased to reveal the fourth poster in the DA Youth's ‘In our future' poster campaign series (see below). The poster depicts a group of new-born babies lying side by side in a hospital nursery and the caption, ‘In our future their skin colour won't determine their success.' The image makes a statement about our vision for the future, namely, a place in which the melanin content of a person's skin will have no bearing on the opportunities they are given.
Sadly, in contrast to this vision, South Africa today is a place in which race still plays a part in an individual's prospects. As the DA Youth, we are striving towards a future in which every individual with talent and dedication, no matter their skin colour or background, has the same chance at building a better life for themselves.
How can we achieve this?
First, we need to ensure there is redress for the inherent disadvantages caused by our country's past. This means that people of genuine, externally imposed disadvantage must be identified and given opportunities to improve their situation. The deep footprint of Apartheid means that many who are ‘born-free' are still shackled by its legacy.