The Eastern Cape Department of Education commemorated the 47th annual Soweto Uprising Youth Month at the OR Tambo Community Hall in Zwelitsha recently.

The Department set aside the past week for young people within the Department to reflect on the journey that the youth have travelled over the years.

Under the theme 'Accelerating Youth economic emancipation for a sustainable future, Special Programmes Unit Director Zukiswa Njotini advised the youth in the Department to grab each and every opportunity that will advance them in the workplace with both hands.

Njotini also encouraged youth employees to consider empowering and developing themselves in all facets of life.

Nomvuselelo Fikeni who is the Acting Chief Director in the Executive Support Office of the Head of Department, applauded the SP Unit for hosting such a great event that recognizes and acknowledges the future leaders of the Department.

"I would like to take this opportunity to appreciate the hard work that young people are doing in this department as they are the ones who do the spade work of the Department.  We see them as cornerstones in this organization," added Fikeni.

A sense of contentment filled the hall as the youth felt included in programmes that seek to better their lives in the Department.

Zethu Kayingana who is an accounting clerk said that the event was interesting, and she loved the fact that most guest speakers were young people, she related to.

In addition an Inclusive Education Intern, Lukhanyo Madala agreed with Kayingana saying that the event was indeed a very impactful programme that embodied so much that one can implement, learn and grow from.

"Programmes of this nature play rather a paramount impact on the Youth as is and the best way to commerorate youth is only through empowerment,” said Madala.

The department is also planning to have tailor-made interventions and programms that will focus on developing and empowering youth in the workplace.