As South Africans prepare to celebrate Youth Day on 16 June, it is important to take stock of how far the country has come and how far it still has to go. In her message to the campus community, Prof Linda du Plessis, acting rector of the North-West University’s (NWU) campus in Vanderbijlpark, focuses on the importance of choice and more so about making the right choices.

“The word ‘choice’ is but a single word but it encapsulates an immense amount of emotion and power. Everything you do is based on the choices you make. It is not your parents, not your past, your job, the economy, the weather, or your age that is to blame when you face adversity. You and only you are responsible for every decision and choice you make.”

Prof Du Plessis says that on 16 June 1976 the youth of South Africa chose to made their voices heard and subsequently stood up for the dream of a better future. “The consequence of this choice changed the course of our country’s history forever and laid the grounds for the release of Nelson Mandela and the birth of democracy.”

In quoting famous humanitarian and leader of the music group U2, Bono, Prof Du Plessis relates that whenever you see darkness, there is an extraordinary opportunity for the light to shine brighter. “May we as a campus continue to fight for social justice and on days like Youth Day think back to the darker times in our history and choose to shine our lights brighter in the present.”

Administrative staff members dressed in school uniforms in celebration of Youth Day.