Pretoria - The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' will today launch their Youth Month commemoration schedule when they “Kick off for food security”.
Minister Senzeni Zokwana will kick some soccer balls with the Cape Town based team, the Santos Football Club – The People’s Team – in Lansdowne, Cape Town, in a bid to encourage youth to participate in agriculture, while also highlighting the importance of household food gardens as a source for good nutrition.
The day will see the unveiling of the “people’s food garden” on a patch on the sports grounds. The Minister will also partake in the training session with the players and address them on the importance of Youth Month including its historical importance.
Minister Zokwana said Youth Month is an extremely significant part of the South African calendar as it is founded on the game changing bravery of the youth of 1976 who fought for an equal and just society.
“With this in mind, the department’s activities for the month of June will be centred on creating awareness of food security and nutrition.
“Apart from these, we will also cast a light on agriculture as a vital career choice for youth. We are very excited about our partnership with Santos and their willingness to participate in this very important initiative,” said the Minister.
Five food security and nutrition ambassadors from Santos will accompany the Minister on several other engagements across the country as he spreads the message of Youth Month with the hope that their participation in the campaign will encourage other young people to get involved in agriculture.
June is celebrated as Youth Month in South Africa with a specific focus on 16 June, which is also known as Youth Day.
Youth Month pays tribute to the school pupils who lost their lives during the 16 June 1976 uprising in Soweto.
This year marks the 39th anniversary of the Soweto uprising, and in honour of this, the National Youth Development Agency has developed a national programme under the theme of "Youth Action for Economic Freedom in Our Lifetime". - SAnews.gov.za
