MOSSEL BAY NEWS - A message to the youth from Mossel Bay Executive Mayor, Harry Levendal:

South Africa has a very young population, with about a third of the people being between the ages of 18 and 34 years. 

As the reality of a post-COVID-19 economic downturn surface, these are the people that will be the hardest hit.

We are coming to the end of June and the end of the commemoration of Youth Month. It is important to address our young people not only on the prevalence and the effect of the COVID-19 coronavirus but also on the scourge of gender-based violence that is poisoning our society. The time has come to denounce violence in whatever form. Violence against women and children is a national crisis and needs to stop. Equally so, violence per se has no place in a civilised society.

Violence is not only a hand raised in anger against another person, but it is also the denigrating comments, it is withholding sustenance or care, and it is turning a blind eye at the ill-treatment of others.

Too often, we hear comments that condemn violence and rightly so, but our maxim should be not to tolerate violence of whatever nature irrespective of who the victims or perpetrators are.

South Africa has become a dangerous society. Our young people are often the perpetrators as their frustrations at being unemployed and the economic hardship they experience fuel their anger. Let that not be an excuse. We cannot respect ourselves or others when raising a fist or a weapon against another person is our default reaction to the hardships we must endure or the pain we suffer because of life’s struggles.

I, too, am the product of a difficult childhood. I know what a life of poverty can do to the human psyche. But I also know the value of respect, of kindness, and the satisfaction gained from the rewards of hard work. Self-discipline and dedicated hard work have brought me opportunities that have resulted in me becoming a teacher and a leader in our community.

I challenge our young people to think twice before they act. Soon, you will be the leaders of our society. We need leaders who know the meaning of respect - both respect for others and self-respect.

I challenge our young people to take the lead in our society in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. I urge them to become noteworthy examples of self-restraint and integrity. I pray that the youth take it upon themselves to act responsibly and for the sake of others - be it their grandparents, their elderly neighbours or their sickly family members - by doing everything possible to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Be strong, be the leaders who fight the scourge of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.

I will keep you and our beautiful town in my prayers.

Alderman Harry Levendal

'We bring you the lates Mossel Bay, Garden Route news'