PERDEKOP – As Mpumalanga marked the 50th anniversary of the June 16, 1976 uprising in Perdekop on Monday, the voices of young people echoed a familiar demand for change.
While they honoured the generation that fought for the right to quality education, many said that 50 years later, unemployment and a lack of opportunities remain their greatest struggle.
Held under the theme “Reset @50: The Future Calls,” the commemoration paid tribute to the youth who stood up against apartheid’s oppressive education system. But for many young people attending the event, the day was also a reminder that their own fight is far from over.
For 20-year-old Itumeleng Mphuthi, the significance of Youth Day is overshadowed by the harsh reality of unemployment. “We were told that education would open doors, yet many of us remain unemployed despite working hard to obtain qualifications,” she said.
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Having completed her studies, Mphuthi is among thousands of young in the province searching for work opportunities. She said she believes that while political freedom has been achieved, economic freedom remains out of reach for many.
Her words reflect the frustrations of many young people who were encouraged to pursue education as a pathway to a better future, only to find themselves struggling to enter the job market.
Despite concerns about unemployment, some young people acknowledged the opportunities that democracy has created over the past three decades. Lindokuhle Shongwe, a beneficiary of the Premier’s Youth Fund, said freedom has opened doors that were once closed to black youths.
“The freedom we got has really worked for us because there are so many things that young people were not able to access before, such as education,” he said.
Shongwe noted that under apartheid, many black young people were denied opportunities to further their studies or enter certain professions. Today, he believes the youth has greater access to higher education, entrepreneurship and development programmes. “Since we got freedom, we are now able to start businesses and access opportunities,” he added.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu, MEC for Culture, Sport and Recreation Leah Mabuza acknowledged that unemployment remains one of the province’s greatest challenges. She said political freedom must be matched by economic inclusion to ensure meaningful transformation.
“The youth of today are not asking for handouts, they are demanding opportunities. They want quality education, meaningful employment, access to funding, digital skills and participation in the mainstream economy,” said Mabuza.
She added that the provincial government continues to implement programmes focused on education, skills development, sports, arts, culture and entrepreneurship to equip young people with the tools they need to succeed.
As Mpumalanga reflected on the bravery and sacrifices of the class of 1976, the message from many young people was clear: while the struggle for political freedom was won decades ago, the fight for economic opportunities and a better future continues.
