Soweto - Fourteen-year-old Dikeledi Motsine was one of the thousands of young people dancing to the music while her favourite singers performed at the National Youth Day commemorations at Orlando Stadium on Thursday.
While the Grade 9 pupil enjoyed the entertainment she also realises that 16 June means a lot more than singing and dancing.
"It's the day we remember what the sacrifices the youth made in 1976. We remember what they had to go through so that we can enjoy all the freedom we have now," she said.
Motsine is grateful that she does not have to complete her studies under the same education system as that of the youth of 1976.
"I don't have to through what they did. I don't have the same challenges, I'm a lot better off and I owe it all of them," she said.
Jabulani Mthembu is another one of the thousands gathered at Orlando Stadium who draws inspiration from the youth who participated in the Soweto uprisings.
"I don't have the same problems they did. My biggest problem is finding a job but I can learn from them. I can learn not to accept the way things are and just give up hope but to make things happen," he says.
Mthembu added that it was important to commemorate 16 June and to remember the past.
"The youth of today have so much but are still so ungrateful. When we think back on what those who went before had to go through, it makes us appreciate what we have," he said.
President Jacob Zuma is expected to address the thousands of youth gathered at the stadium later today.
Zuma will be accompanied by Minister in the Presidency responsible for Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation, Collins Chabane, Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane, MEC for Sports, Culture and Recreation Lebogang Maile and National Youth Development Agency chairperson Andile Lungisa.
This year's Youth Day celebrations take place under the theme: Youth Action for Economic Freedom in Our Lifetime.
