Q&A
As a young black boy, growing up in Soweto during the time when the struggle against the apartheid regime was at its peak, I was inspired by how the people around me were selfless and waging a war against the enemy. I too wanted to join in the fight, and I was fortunate to have attended school at a very young age at Morris Isaacson High School. One of the things I’ll forever be grateful for is for my teacher (Oupa Monareng) who was an activist in COSAS and later formed part of SOYCO.
My activism was thus ignited. I joined Black Students Society and AZASO which was renamed SANSCO while I attended school at The University of the Witwatersrand As a young activist, I have learned lifelong lessons of submitting oneself for the benefit of others, to the service of our country and its people. The ANC to me became a very important vehicle in prosecuting the struggle of the South African people at that time. To date, the freedom charter remains a charter for absolute freedom. It is thus I am still an activist of the ANC and working very hard for the Organisation and its people, this must also be emulated by the current youth and protected for future generations.
Our generational struggle was student-centered and primarily focused on the war for free and quality education hence the Slogan Each One Teach One. COSAS waged struggles that surrounded South Africa ungovernable and apartheid unworkable. Our generation provided a recruitment base for detachments of Umkhonto we Sizwe. Its mission: “In Freedom or Death-Victory is certain”.
As a student activist at Wits, I formed part of a crucial body at East Campus, the leadership roles in Club for Social Action, South African Tertiary Institutions Sports Council, and Black Student Society at
Wits. After having completed my undergrad degree, I have also led as a branch leader of the ANCYL and subsequently emerged as the chair of the ANCYL in the region. Due to that undeterred spirit of wanting to fight for our people, once again the people of Johannesburg have reiterated their relentless support on me and allowed me to lead them as the chair of the ANC in Greater Johannesburg.
I believe in the words of the great philosopher Frantz Fanon, he said “every generation must discovering its mission; either fulfilling it or betraying it”. Young South Africans must discover their mission and fulfill it. This must be done by ensuring the mandate which has been enshrined on the Freedom Charter is brought to life. The mandate is clear and must be made to come to life.
We want to renew our vows with our people. We want to reconnect with our people. We want to get our people excited again”.
Cyril Ramaphosa