THE WORLD'S BIGGEST YOUTH FESTIVAL IN AFRICA!



By now you’re probably aware that the world’s biggest youth festival is about to embark on our soil. On the 13th December till the 21st December 2010, The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) in conjunction with the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY) will host a spectacular of youth events and activities. The activities, which will include workshops, seminars and forums, will deal with issues around peace, prejudice and transformation.

Using poetry contests, arts and culture exhibitions, sport tournaments and multimedia activations, the festival aims to use as many resources at its disposal to engage the youth. Also taking centre stage at the event will be a mock court, which will take on issues on crimes against humanity and a march by the delegation to the Union Building at the closing of the festival to hand over the Final Declaration to President of South Africa.

Issues such as the right to employment, democratic rights, freedoms and human rights as well as the struggle for peace, sovereignty and solidarity against imperialism are set to top talks at the festival. Another key topic at the conference is set to be the issue of public, free and universal access to education, science, culture and information.

The aim of this festival is to unite the Youth of the World in a bid to ‘Defeat Imperialism for a World of Peace, Solidarity and Social Transformation’; as is their slogan for this festival.

The festival, which is endorsed by South African Government, President Jacob Zuma and other international Heads of State, is expecting close to 30 000 progressive youth formations and organizations from across the world with representatives from around 115 countries expected to attend. Despite the economic benefits from hosting this event, South African youth will also reap extensive knowledge about campaigns for universal access to education, against xenophobia, racism and other related intolerance, said the NYDA.

Key members of the NPC listen tentatively to the POA

Weighty participation will come from the countries of Southern Africa. Organizations in Namibia, Angola, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe have pledged to send large delegations.
The National Preparatory Committee (NPC) a committee deployed by the NYDA is working around the clock to secure accommodation, transport and security for our international guests. The University of Pretoria was kind enough to offer the use of its campus and more than 4 000 beds to help host the festival. Many other South African organizations have also availed their services in order to ensure the success of the Festival.


Andile Lungisa, the Executive Chairman of NYDA

 “This is the first time in the 65 year history of this very significant international youth conference that it will be held in Southern Africa, and that the conference will have a specific focus on issues relevant to youth from the African continent,” says NYDA Executive Chairperson Andile Lungisa.

The World Festival for Youth and Students, which was first celebrated in 1947 at the aftermath of the 2nd World War, was decided upon by a delegation youth at the World Youth Conference in 1945. A need for the youth to consolidate and organize their resources had arised. The first Festival took place in Prague in the summer of 1947 where 50 000 students and youth attended.


Ruth First

 The Youth of South Africa have been associated with the World Federation of Democratic Youth since its launch in 1945. One of South Africa's outstanding young revolutionaries, Ruth First attended the launching Congress of WFDY in 1945.

In a speech, the President of the ANCYL, Julius Malema said: “...we expressed the ANC Youth League and South Africa`s readiness to host the 17th World Festival for Youth and Students in December this year". We said so because it is a great honour and privilege for the Youth of South Africa, in particular the youth of the African National Congress to be hosts of the 17th World Festival for Youth and Students. By the looks of it, South African is gearing to make this festival the biggest one yet.... ever!

During the one-week conference next month, the thousands of youth expected to descent into South Africa from all parts of the world are scheduled to focus primarily on social, political and economic issues that are facing the youth of today. Issues such as the right to employment, democratic rights, freedoms and human rights as well as the struggle for peace, sovereignty and solidarity against imperialism are set to top talks at the festival. Another key topic at the conference is set to be the issue of public, free and universal access to education, science, culture and information.

"The Festival presents South African youth with an opportunity to make contributions toward the shaping of policies locally and internationally in the interests of advancing solidarity, peace and democracy. This we believe as the Government of South Africa form the foundation for social and economic development," Chabane said.
Chabane said the South African government hopes that the festival would result in increased international partnerships and networking opportunities between like-minded youth leaders from around the world.

He said the country's government also anticipated that the festival would amplify campaigns against xenophobia, racism and other related intolerances.

In addition, Chabane said the South African government hopes that the event would possibly lead to improved consolidation of the country's own national agenda for youth development and empowerment. He added that overall the conference is expected to have economic benefits on South Africa from the foreign spending in the country for the duration of the event.

"As the youth of the world in 1945 pledged themselves to build the unity of youth of the world across all races, all colours, all nationalities, and all beliefs; as Government we firmly believe that the Festival will constructively contribute to the advancement Social Cohesion in South Africa. We believe it will lay a foundation for Africa's youth voice to be heard in the world," Chabane said.  

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