Media Release
Western Cape Education Department

15 June, 2016

Western Cape learners commemorate Youth Day.

Statement by Paddy Attwell, Director of Communication, WCED

The Western Cape Education Department (WCED), in collaboration with the Robben Island Museum (RIM), will commemorate Youth Day by hosting learners from across Cape Town at a school in Khayelitsha.

Another group of learners from schools outside Cape Town will spend two days camping on Robben Island, from Wednesday 15 June 2016.

This year marks the 40 year anniversary of June 16 Soweto uprising and the WCED and RIM wants learners to gain an understanding of the importance of Youth Day.

Learners from 16 schools in the four Metro Education Districts and a Teacher Liaison Officer from each school will attend the event at Luhlaza High School in Khayelitsha, on 16 June 2016.

A replica of Nelson Mandela's cell on Robben Island will be on display. A RIM facilitator will speak to learners about the cell and the history of political imprisonment on Robben Island.

The learners at Luhlaza High School will engage with the learners on Robben Island through a video link.

The organisers hope the event will encourage learners to actively involve themselves in various areas of their school communities for their own benefit and use available platforms to raise their concerns as opposed to engaging in violent protest action causing damage to buildings and property.

All media are welcome to attend. There will be an opportunity for interviews and photographs.

Venue: Luhlaza High School, Makabeni Road, Khayelitsha
Date: Thursday, 16 June 2016
Time: 09h00 - 14h00

Media enquiries:
Paddy Attwell
Director of Communication
Western Cape Education Department
Tel: 021 467 2531