Youth Day Statement - Young Communist League (Kwazulu Natal Province)
12 June 2003
(Covers dedication to SA youth, HIV/AIDS, Unemployment, Access to Free
Education, YCL Provincial Consultative Conference and Youth Day Seminar)
The Young Communist League-(of the South African Communist Party) in the
KwaZulu Natal Province remembers the fallen heroes of our struggle and
encourages the youth to take leadership in all levels of our civil society
and to achieve socialism.
In remembering the historic role that the Youth of this country played, from the incidents of the 16th of June 1976, it is important that we also remember and honour all those who paid the supreme sacrifice for this country. We would like to particularly remember and pay tribute to the leader, selfless revolutionary and a communist, Cde Harry Gwala, who passed away on the 20th June 1995.
This dedication to the struggle of the oppressed people, and the working
class in particular, was an inspiration to the many young men and women
whose selflessness has "nourished the tree" that brought about the 1994
breakthrough. In remembering our heroes and heroines, we must make a
declaration (The Harry Gwala Declaration of 2003) to dedicate ourselves to
fighting against the problems that our young people are facing.
The acid test to the success of the Growth and Development Summit (GDS) lies in its ability to implement tangible interventions to deal with the evils that confront young people.
HIV/AIDS
The Province of KwaZulu Natal is said to be the most affected with regards to HIV/AIDS. We believe that the current conflicts around the issues of HIV/AIDS are not going to assist in reaching any agreement. It is our belief that we need to rally all our people to find a common approach and strategy to fight the disease. The YCL in KwaZulu Natal will engage with all stakeholders in order to facilitate this strategic and tactical unity.
UNEMPLOYMENT
The levels of unemployment in this Province are unacceptable. We intend engaging with all youth formations and structures to ensure that the resolutions of the GDS and the Financial Sector Summit (of August 2002) are implemented. We would also engage government to hasten the programme of Cooperatives in order to benefit the youth.
ACCESS TO FREE EDUCATION
We commend the Department of Education, and the Minister, for their boldness and progressive commitment to address the problems of children from poor families. We intend engaging the alliance structures in order to agree on a programmatic intervention to ensure that the right to education is entrenched. We would also like the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NAFSAS) funds to be accessible to all those who deserve them, with particular rural and gender bias.
YCL SEMINAR
The YCL in KwaZulu Natal will hold a seminar titled:
"The role of youth in defending and deepening the NDR as the route to
socialism"
Date : 22 June 2003
Time : Starting at 10h00
Venue : UNISA KZN Campus,Cnr of Old Fort Rd and Stanger Street
Durban
There will be speakers from COSATU, SACP, SASCO and ANC Youth League.
As this seminar will confirm, the re-establishment of the Young Communist League is firmly on track. Like a storm, its approaching is to be felt everywhere. Our interest in the working class course demands that we engage in all levels of civil society. We acknowledge that the National Democratic Revolution (NDR) is the route to Socialism. In order to defend and deepen this, we must strengthen the SACP through active, organised, dedicated and committed cadreship. We also want to ensure that the ALLIANCE is strong.
YCL Provincial Consultative Conference
We are also preparing for the Provincial Consultative Conference on 28-29 June 2003 at the University of Durban Westville that will be followed by the National Consultative Conference at Vaal Technikon.
Contact Persons:
Smiso Nkwanyana
SACP KwaZulu Natal Provincial Secretary
Mobile: 082 468 7184
or
Chris Maxon - YCL Provincial Coordinator KwaZulu Natal
Mobile: 031 207 5798
or
Sifiso Gwala - SACP KwaZulu Natal Media Department
Mobile: 082 358 8390
