Youth in Nyanga and Crossroads stand up against drugs

By Anele Siwa
17 June 2008

People in Nyanga and Crossroads hosted Youth Day celebrations on Monday to honour and commemorate the role played by the youth in 1976.

“We (Crossroads Youth Forum) have organised this event to try to bring the youth together and to encourage those who are using drugs to stop and to tell them that together we can deliver better things to our society,” says Xolisile Dangalasile deputy chairperson of the Youth Forum in Crossroads.

Sandile Mdalambu from social development in Crossroads says the struggle for apartheid is over and they are now facing the new challenge, the fight against drugs and alcohol.

As they were commemorating Youth Day they wore T-shits with a big label “Age of hope youth against crime”.

Miriam Makhosan founder of Bambanani Social Development in Crossroads says things have not yet changed to a point where everyone can say we are free in terms of economy.

“I want to make it loud and clear that the youth must participate in projects which are aimed at giving them skills so that they can stand on their own and not to wait for government,” says Makhosana.

Ashley Bafo from Belhar Youth Forum says the struggle against drugs is not an easy one, but she is determined that they are going to cross that bridge.