South Africa’s Deputy President Paul Mashatile will stand in for President Cyril Ramaphosa as the keynote speaker at the government’s National Youth Day commemoration event in Potchefstroom.

While the President has led the commemorations in previous years, he will be attending the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Canada, which takes place from June 14 to 17.

Ramaphosa will use the summit to discuss solutions for energy security and related issues, with fellow world leaders, the Presidency said.

The June 16 Youth Day event, which takes place from 9am at the North West University’s Rag Farm Stadium, will also include a career exhibition event, tying in with the event’s theme: Skills for the Changing World – Empowering Youth for Meaningful Economic Participation.

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It serves as a call to all government entities and strategic partners to accelerate and enhance meaningful interventions to realise economic gain for the youth.

“As we commemorate this year’s Youth Day, we do so fully aware of the challenges which continue to confront today’s youth, one of them being youth unemployment,” said Mashatile.

“Hence this youth month, Government is putting a strong emphasis on the importance of strong collaboration by all implementing partners on  education, skills and economic development in order to link youth with education and economic opportunities to address youth unemployment in our country,” the Deputy President added.

He will be joined at the event by Sports Minister Gayton McKensie, North West Premier Lazarus Mokgosi and Minister in the Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Ms Sindisiwe Chikunga.

IOL

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