On Youth Day, young people from different communities gathered in Robertson for a meaningful event organised by the Trust for Community Outreach and Education (TCOE) and the Afrika Unite music group. The event brought together young people to celebrate, learn and discuss important issues affecting their communities.
The day began with exciting performances showcasing young talent. The Afrika Unite choir entertained the audience with inspiring songs, while a dance group from Montagu delivered energetic, captivating routines. Together, these performances created a vibrant atmosphere and highlighted young people’s creativity.
However, the event was about much more than singing and dancing, offering young people the opportunity to learn about environmental issues and community development. Participants were divided into three groups to discuss key topics such as climate change, the water crisis, and seeds.
Each group explored the challenges associated with these issues and proposed possible solutions. Afterwards, the groups presented their findings to everyone, fostering knowledge sharing and collective learning.
The discussions highlighted several concerns affecting young people, including unemployment, drug abuse, teenage pregnancy, and limited access to quality education.
Many participants also discussed safety in their communities. Some shared that they feel unsafe and have lost trust in the police, believing that law enforcement is not doing enough to protect residents. As a result, according to participants, some communities have resorted to taking justice into their own hands, raising concerns about community safety and the need for stronger relationships between citizens and law enforcement.
The event served as an important platform for young people to share their experiences and contribute ideas to promote positive participation, critical thinking, and community engagement, while reminding everyone of the importance of working together to build safer, healthier, and more sustainable communities.

A participant from Montagu shared a powerful reflection during the discussions. She argued that the struggles faced by the youth of 1976 are little different from those of young people today. According to her, many young people still struggle to access quality education. She expressed concern about the growing challenges facing young people, including high unemployment and rising rates of teenage pregnancy.
She maintained that these issues continue to affect the lives and futures of many young people every day. She also expressed the view that the government is failing to adequately address these challenges and is not doing enough to support and empower young people.
The statement served as a reminder that, despite progress since 1976, many young people continue to face significant social and economic challenges that require urgent attention.
Before the event ended, participants took part in a creative activity, expressing their thoughts and feelings on banners. The banners highlighted key issues affecting young people and their communities, including Gender-Based Violence (GBV), bullying, educational inequality, and climate justice. Through messages, drawings, and slogans, youth called for safer communities and equality in addressing climate change.
This activity enabled them to raise awareness of the issues they care about most and demonstrate their commitment to creating positive change.
The banner presentation served as a powerful conclusion to the day, providing young people with a platform to share their voices and advocate for a better future. It reinforced the importance of youth participation in addressing social and environmental challenges and left the event on a hopeful, inspiring note.