Dr Iqbal Survé delivered a keynote address reflecting on the significance of the Youth Day during the Youth Day event at the Castle of Good Hope.
Speaking at the Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town, Dr Iqbal Survé delivered a sweeping Youth Day address that linked the events of June 16, 1976, to a much longer history of resistance in South Africa. Moving between personal reflections, historical narratives and contemporary challenges, Survé argued that young people have been at the centre of struggles for freedom for hundreds of years.
He warned that South Africans are increasingly disconnected from their history and risk forgetting the sacrifices of those who fought against colonialism, apartheid and social injustice. For Dr Survé, remembering that history is essential to understanding both the achievements of democracy and the challenges that remain.
Dr Survé opened his address by reflecting on the release of a new film about Archbishop Desmond Tutu and a fundraising event for former football star Farouk Abrahams. Both experiences, he said, highlighted how easily South Africans forget the individuals who shaped the country's history.
He lamented that many sporting legends, cultural figures and activists who inspired communities during apartheid are rarely remembered today. Drawing on his own experience as a top soccer player, playing with legends, and media owner, Dr Survé acknowledged that more must be done to preserve these stories and ensure future generations understand the sacrifices made by those who came before them.
