Chairperson, these are the defining features of responsible leadership, the sterner stuff that the youth should be made of, the spears needed in defence of our democracy and economic participation by the youth.
Ownership of action and the precise definition of the position which one holds in relation to the recipient of action are not inborn qualities that can just emerge. Building blocks are thus needed to arrive at this degree of maturity in human growth. Education, moral standards and identity or cultural consciousness are the precise building blocks needed in this regard.
Education plays an important role in equipping our youth with the necessary tools to define the position they hold when engaging with broader society and the ability to take ownership of the actions undertaken in that process. However, this is only the crux of the matter. The manner in which the youth defines its relative position in society and its identity, also cultural identity, informs the actual outputs of the education our youth would have received.
There is a clear relationship between education, opportunity and consciousness about one's identity, which forms the necessary condition for one to be able to define one's position in any action. I am not a philosopher; I am just a young person who sees it necessary to relate experience on matters of responsible leadership and responsible lifestyle among our young people.
Do we have young people who know where they stand culturally, young people who are not drunk with an identity crisis or caught up in the business of cultural dislocation? The latter are better raised within the context of moral standards, the kind that is necessary when we begin to look at the degree of responsibility that exists or that is desired in our young people. This includes economic and development issues, simplified in a language that the sector understands.
It is the question of education, economic consciousness, morality and identity that will determine the success of the agenda set by the youth, or the outcomes of our engagement on matters of national importance, be it policy-making, engagement and participation in the economy, driving the political hot seats or many other matters with which we are familiar, either at local or national level, in our homes, in the communities in which we live, or in any other social platform. The success of our engagement should be defined by the responsibility with which we act. This should include advocacy programmes for youth employment, in-job training, internships, etc.
Making sense of the National Youth Development Agency, as our President, President Jacob Zuma, outlined during its launch, will usher in a new era for youth development. The youth of South Africa should act now for their own development, lest history judges us.
Just as an addition to the theme of "Celebrating a Vibrant Youth Voice", I want to issue a stern warning that actions speak louder than words. Again, lest history judges us, despite a supportive President, nation, education system and progressive movement, we say: My ANC, my vision, my future! I believe that this statement sums up all of the issues I have raised regarding a responsible young generation.
Those who might now be spurred on by the fear or grief of losing their fathers, should know that, in time, they shall learn to die both for themselves and for the millions of our people, just as the class of 1976 did. I thank you. [Applause.]