Dear Colleagues and comrades,

Please find attached an invitation to a commemoration of June 16. The actual event is taking place on 19 June at 12 noon. Please send this invite to your networks and confirm attendance directly to:
Leon Mdiya.

For more information, call Reitumetse Johnson on 011 830 2546 or 073 794 6837.

It would be really helpful to get an idea of numbers and it would be wonderful for us to get our heads away from soccer for just a moment!

So... see you there

WELCOME TO YOUTH SYMPOSIUM

IN THE SPIRIT OF 1976: Youth uniting against Afri-phobia Youth Empowerment for a Brighter Future

In commemoration of 16 June 1976, City of Johannesburg and R.I.S.E. Mzansi

AFURAKA invites you to an exciting Youth Symposium

Date: Saturday 19 June 2010
Time: 12 to 4pm
Venue: Power Park Community Centre, Soweto
Address: The Soweto Twin Towers, Cnr Cornelius Street and Old Potchefstroom Road

Organizers: The Youth Symposium is organized by City of Johannesburg, R.I.S.E. Mzansi AFURAKA in collaboration with June 16 Youth Foundation, Siyaphambili Youth Pioneers, Ebukhosini Youth, Kliptown Youth Project, Indali Agric Project and other youth structures.

Theme: IN THE SPIRIT OF 1976: Youth Uniting Against Afri-phobia. Inspired by the youth of 1976 who protested against a, seemingly, unbreakable system of oppression, Afrikan youth today are claiming their freedom and shaping their future. The topics of the day will include empowerment, self-determination and Afri-phobia (the fear of being Afrikan).

Program: Young speakers and discussants will present inspirational messages on empowerment, identity and Afri-phobia. Young artists will bless the stage with poetry, drama, music and reflections. Three generations of youth leaders will take part in an inter-generational dialogue on self-determination.

Background: 34 years ago, on 16 June 1976, young people took to the streets to protest against forced language policies in schools. This uprising helped to push the South African liberation struggle to a new level and demonstrated that young people can indeed change their future.
Today’s Afrikan youth face similarly impossible challenges, including poverty, unemployment, social exclusion and identity crisis. Inspired by the 1976-uprising, young people are prepared to stand up, make a difference and shape their own future.

Empowerment and Afri-phobia: For young people to empower themselves, skills and knowledge is key. Ignorance is the opposite of knowledge and can only dis-empower. The dark cloud of violence against other Afrikans has paralysed the nation. The threat of throwing other Afrikans out once the World Cup is over has left many feeling helpless. Young people can stand up to this, change this, make sure Afrikans of all nationalities stand together in the name of true empowerment. The youth believe in ONE Afrikan nation, not many; Together we stand, divided we fall!

Yes to empowerment! No to ignorance!
Yes to a proud Afrikan identity! No to Afri-phobia!

Come and be inspired to change YOUR world!

INFORMATION
For more information, call Reitumetse Johnson on 011 830 2546 or 073 794 6837 Or send email to: buntu.

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CITY OF JOBURG
The City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality (COJ) has a long-term commitment to find solutions to social exclusion. In response to xenophobic violence and challenges experienced by migrants, COJ launched the Migrant Help Desk in 2007. COJ has commissioned AFURAKA to facilitate the implementation of “Afrika History Week”.

AFURAKA
AFURAKA Cultural Community Development is a program under Section 21 Company R.I.S.E. MZANSI, which has been contracted by the City of Joburg to do educational awareness work in communities around Johannesburg to create interest in Afrikan history and culture, and activities that can lead to solutions concerning social exclusion. The work will culminate in the launch of an Afrika History Week in 2011.
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A. O. Buntu
Co-Founder/Director
AFURAKA Cultural Community Development
Johannesburg, South Afrika
Ph: (+27) (0)82 544 9417