ANCYL MEDIA STATEMENT ON THE COMMEMORATION OF JUNE 16, 1976

The ANCYL, on this the 16th June 2012, reflects on the history of the struggle of young people in this country, on the continent and abroad.

The reflections are considerate of the numerous lives of the young people lost in the struggle for liberation and towards the protection of our political liberation.

This is indeed a time for the youth of South Africa to take stock of the gains made towards our political liberation and to defend the path for economic freedom of our people.

During this commemorative day it is our task to ensure that we never fail the generations to come, as the 1976-generation was equal to the task of resisting a rigid, unjust, corrupt, inhumane Government fraught with inequalities, poverty of the masses and unemployment.

At no point did they surrender their fight against policies that benefited only a few. The struggles waged by the 1976 generation were a struggle for which this generation has been privileged. The youth of South Africa should always be considerate of the selfless nature of the generations of young people who contributed towards bringing political freedom to this country, and for the masses.

As we consider the selfless sacrifice we should equally prepare ourselves to take on the task of economic freedom and at all times defend the future economic trajectory in the interest of the masses.

Ours like the 1976 detachment is a struggle for policy shift. In the main, the demand for; the fast-tracking the return of the land to the indigenous people of this country without compensation and the nationalization of the mines of South Africa.

The 1976 generation requested change in policy on the medium of instruction and better education; even though this struggle continues, this generation further requests that there be urgent and fundamental macro economic policy changes in this country to veer towards the interest of the people and a rapidly industrialised economy.

As we continue to champion the interests of young people, the ANCYL will never retreat on the demand for Free and Quality education, as a cornerstone for the building of this nation.

The ANCYL calls upon all young people to commemorate June 2012 with the fighting spirit of the youth of 1976.

Statement issued by the ANC Youth League, June 16 2012

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