Zuma calls on the youth to stop violence

By Ofentse Mokae
16 June 2010

Today marks 34 years of the 1976 student upsrisings and President Jacob Zuma has called on the country’s youth not to resort to any criminal activity as his national message to young people.

Zuma says he finds it distressing to see people still burning down schools and other facilities, as they did recently in Tlhakgameng in the North West.

Addressing the National Youth Celebrations at Thulamahashe in Mpumalanga, Zuma reminded the gathering that it was much easier to destroy than to build, and that every facility was an investment for future generations.

He appealed to young people to be vigilant against criminal elements who torch a clinic because they do not have a school or destroy a library because the water taps have run dry.

Zuma also reminded South Africans that they will be the 12th player on the pitch when Bafana Bafana play Uruguay in Pretoria tonight.

He says fans’ resounding support keeps the team going and makes them succeed.