The Inaugural Meeting of the National Committee (NC) of the Young Communist League of South Africa (YCLSA) met on 16-17 January 2004 in Johannesburg to discuss the organization’s program of action. At the meeting, the YCLSA saluted to the life of South African radio star DJ Khabzela and explained the importance of voting for the African National Congress. The ANC decisively won the April elections.
IN MEMORY OF DJ KHABZELA: The impact of HIV/AIDS on South Africa’s youth and the will of South African youth to struggle for a better life
The NC started its proceedings by paying a special tribute for DJ Khabzela (Fana Khaba). The NC met a few days after the tragic death of this famous South African youth symbol. The NC saluted Khabzela as an inspiration to millions of young people: living in and surviving the apartheid and capitalist ghetto to which they are condemned having to live with, and survive the daily reality of poverty, joblessness, homelessness, exposure to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, limited life opportunities and choices, lack of access to quality education, limited skills development opportunities and exposure to crime.
His life from being a taxi-driver to become a nation-wide popular DJ was legendary and shows the resolve of our country’s youth to struggle for a better life. His role as a DJ was also important in building a positive image of young people: his social
commentary was at the pulse and beat of young people today; he knew their feelings, concerns, interests, fears, aspirations, struggles and hope for the future. His life and death reminds us of the impact of the
HIV/AIDS pandemic on our country’s youth.
The YCL NC makes a call to all our country’s youth to honor the memory of Khabzela by taking part in the struggle against HIV/AIDS including the struggle for
the extension of access to information, improvement of the prevention and education campaign, provision of anti-HIV/AIDS drugs and the improvement of the public health system. The YCL believes that the best monument to Khabzela, and many other young people who die from HIV/AIDS related diseases, will be a consistent struggle against the reality of capitalism and the
legacy of apartheid. Young people want recreation, free education, skills development, real life opportunities and choices. As Khabzela’s life and struggle show, capitalism denies these to young people.
2004 ELECTIONS: Young People must Register and Vote ANC
The YCL calls on all young South Africans above the age of 18 to come out in their millions to register as voters next weekend: there is no other chance for them to register and be able to take part in the historic 3rd democratic elections in our country.
Why must young people register and vote? Already, our democratically elected ANC government has changed South Africa for the better and yet there are many challenges:
H Many young people live without the fear of legislated racial discrimination and yet so many live under the reality of racism.
H Unlike in the apartheid past, all South African students are free to choose which school and university to attend, study from a common syllabus and have seen matriculation results improve, and yet so many economic and social barriers mean that still the majority of African students study under difficult conditions without water, electricity, sanitation, books, stationery, laboratories and computers.
H Through the learnerships programs, opportunities for skills development of young people have been opened up and yet employers refuse to invest in job creation and are not committed to integrated skills development driven by workers including young workers.
Like all South Africans, young people have an objective interest with an ANC government which continues to transform and change our country for the better. The ANC Election Manifesto is a strong basis and foundation upon which the needs, interests, concerns and aspirations of young people can be met. By registering as voters and taking part in the election campaign and process, young people will be ensuring that their concerns and views are also taken into account after the elections.
For the YCL, democracy is not just about voting once every 5 years. The YCL wants to see and mobilize young people to be an active part of society and having real power to determine and influence all aspects of their lives: social, cultural, economic, political, and so on.
Young Communist League of South Africa
www.sacp.org.za
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