Chairperson, I don't know what was controversial. The TBVC states were worse because they were just an extension of apartheid. Schools were part of boycotts in the 1980s.
As I salute the youth of 1976, I go to the youth of 1985 and 1986 who heeded the call of President Oliver Tambo to fight when he addressed the 1985 Consultative Conference of the ANC in Kabwe, Zambia.
We took to the streets at the early age of eight. We knew the enemy. We were arrested, detained and beaten and our parents were in exile. We knew the aroma of teargas, we cried and, in tears, we ran home.
At the age of five, we knew that when there was a knock at the door, we had to hide under the beds or in the ceilings. Then those who don't know this history tell us that we don't know anything about apartheid. This continued until 1994.
I also salute those young people who joined uMkhonto weSizwe, the political arm of the ANC. Those were young people who left the country as young as 12 years old, like Comrade Chabane, Nombeko and many more. Today I encourage young Africans to read and write about our struggle history. Let those who were not part of it, not write about it because they don't know what they are writing about. It is archived in our memories. We just have to write about it. Yes, we forgive, but we will never forget.
As President Mandela put it in May 1994, the youth are the valued possession of the nation. Without them, there can be no future. Their needs are immense and urgent. They are the centre of reconstruction and development.
There is a great need for liberating the minds of young people of all races. Youth Day is for all South African youth, black and white. The Youth Parliament is a platform to give youngsters a chance to interact with members of the mayoral committee and Parliament, discussing issues that are a challenge to them each day.
Therefore, Youth Parliament can serve as a tool to sensitise and caution youth of all races to participate in Youth Day. We will achieve economic freedom in our lifetime. We know what we are talking about because we have been fighting. The IFP will lament, so we will get used to that.
We have achieved political freedom, but young people are still struggling to access economic freedom. The economy is still controlled by the beneficiaries of the past. The National Youth Development Agency has been established to address youth matters, but the budget to address youth matters is minimal.
We urge government departments to work together and support this institution. This agency has an obligation to reach all the rural areas, even the nodal areas that do not have access to television or the Internet. This minimal budget poses a serious challenge.
We urge the government departments to create employment opportunities for youth through real internships, not doing faxing or typing in those institutions. Procurement policies must be favourable to the youth, and it's time to have quotas so that the youth can also benefit.
Youth on farms are still oppressed by those who are locked in the past. They are deprived of going to school and are employed as farm labourers. They are scared to vote because they are scared to leave. They have nowhere to go because that is where they grew up.
Even in the last elections, some were deprived of the right to vote because they would be jobless. Therefore, I recommend that the labour laws of this country be implemented to protect them. I urge the Departments of Labour and of Basic Education to take steps against those farmers.
The President has announced the New Growth Path. As the youth of South Africa, we support this economic plan. We believe that it will open up opportunities for young people in South Africa, especially in rural areas. We call upon the private sector and the BEE sector to create opportunities for young people in all sectors of the economy.
As young people, give us a chance. Many of our parents died when we were at a very tender age. Therefore, give us a chance so that we don't die poor, like our parents.
Young people voted in large numbers in the past local government elections. I therefore urge municipalities to create employment and make placements through local economic development. It is time to act. Young people will not eat plans and policies. We can't be planning forever. Action must be taken.
Young people in South Africa are the most creative. When they have nothing to do or have no opportunities, they get involved in substance abuse, sexual activities that lead to teenage pregnancy and they engage in criminal activities.
The Minister of Arts and Culture has realised the challenges facing the youth in the arts. He has addressed the challenge by launching the performing arts programme. [Time expired.] [Applause.]