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Chill failsto dampen high spirits

YOUNG and old came in large numbers despite the chilly weather to celebrate Youth Day at Katlehong in Ekurhuleni.

YOUNG and old came in large numbers despite the chilly weather to celebrate Youth Day at Katlehong in Ekurhuleni.

Themed "Celebrating a Vibrant Youth Voice", the celebrations at Huntersfield Stadium in this dusty township were all about song and dance, though the occasion also marked the launch of a new youth organisation, the National Youth Development Agency.

DJs kept revellers on their feet while they waited for President Jacob Zuma to arrive. Small groups of youngsters chanted revolutionary slogans around the stadium, but their voices were drowned by kwaito and house music hits blaring from the massive speakers.

Adults had pulled out their old school uniforms and dressed up for the occasion.

"Youth Day is the only time I wear my school uniform in pride. I have kept my high school uniform for years and wear it on this important day," said Mummy Mbangwa, a 45-year-old mother of three.

Some took advantage to make the best of the situation and sold everything from sweets to cigarettes.

"We are only selling them, we do not smoke them," said 16-year-old Dumisani Vuyani.

Dumisani said he understood the history behind Youth Day, but said young people today had a different way of celebrating.

"Song and dance is the only way. We cannot sing revolutionary songs the whole day," he said.

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