The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) marked Youth Day in Soweto by honouring the legacy of the 1976 Soweto Uprising while making a significant investment in the future of young South Africans through a R250 000 donation to five young entrepreneurs from Gauteng.
The commemorative event brought together party leaders, community members and young people to reflect on the sacrifices made by the youth of 1976, whose courage and determination helped shape South Africa’s journey to freedom and democracy.
Speaking during the commemoration at the Meadowlands zone 10 community Hall in Soweto, IFP leader Velenkosi Hlabisa (also Cabinet Minister) paid tribute to the students who stood against the apartheid government’s oppressive education system on 16 June 1976.
The uprising, which began in Soweto, remains one of the most defining moments in South Africa’s liberation struggle and continues to serve as a symbol of courage, resilience and the pursuit of justice.
Hlabisa emphasized that Youth Day is not only an opportunity to remember the heroes of the past but also a time to confront the challenges facing today’s youth. These include high unemployment, poverty, crime, substance abuse and limited economic opportunities.
As part of its Youth Day programme, the IFP demonstrated its commitment to practical youth empowerment by donating a total of R250 000 to five young entrepreneurs.
The financial support is intended to help the beneficiaries expand their businesses, strengthen operations and create new opportunities for growth and employment.
Under the theme “Empowering Youth. Growing the Economy. Securing the Future,” the initiative forms part of the party’s broader vision to promote entrepreneurship and economic participation among young people.
IFP leaders stressed that meaningful youth empowerment requires more than promises and speeches. They said investing directly in young entrepreneurs enables them to become self-reliant, drive innovation and contribute to economic development within their communities.
The beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the support, describing the funding as a valuable boost that will help them grow their enterprises and create opportunities for others.
The party further encouraged young people in Soweto and across South Africa to draw inspiration from the determination and bravery displayed by the youth of 1976. It called on young citizens to become active agents of change by pursuing education, developing skills, embracing entrepreneurship and contributing positively to their communities.
As South Africa commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising in 2026, the Hlabisa reaffirmed the party’s commitment to advancing policies that promote youth development, quality education, job creation and community upliftment.
The party said the best way to honour the heroes of June 16 is to ensure that future generations have access to opportunities that allow them to realise their full potential.
It concluded the commemoration with a call for unity among young people from all backgrounds, reminding them that the spirit of June 16 remains a powerful force for building a prosperous, inclusive and democratic South Africa.
