ARROWSA YOUTH DAY 2021

While remembering the pain and suffering of the past upon which youth day is built the youth of ARROWSA Bechet and ARROWSA management also emphasised the responsibility of today. The responsibility of creating sustainable projects that will impact future generations and the responsibility of being a positive influence on today and the future. 

Photo: Frik Lange

ARROWSA projects at ARROWSA Bechet, with Indra Congress partners across the globe, CCMS, UKZN, school programmes linked to Durban Local History Museums and Palmiet Nature Reserve and South Roots International do this in three main ways. Firstly in the process of using arts, culture and heritage for youth to build their intrapersonal knowledge and skills of where they come from, who they are now, how they relate to others and where they would like to be in the future and secondly by the collaborative art, culture and heritage products that they create which includes interpersonal knowledge and skills as they learn about other youth and through knowledge gained learn to appreciate similarities and differences and to identify and empathise. Thirdly the dissemination, exhibition or installation of their art, culture and heritage products to the public - local, national and international ensures that the collaborative messages that they create through their products is heard and seen by as many youth as possible.

                                                                        Photo: Frik Lange

                                   

                                                                          Photo: Frik Lange

On Youth Day 2021 ARROWSA Youth from three collaborative projects took part in two activities that  emphasised their belief in making a positive change. The first event, led by Mr Bheki Dlamini, emphasised the process of creating change as winners of - Miss Bechet and Mister Bechet 2021 from ARROWSA Bechet - committed to starting the creation of a vegetable garden making use of recycled materials in a creative way at Bechet High School. The vegetables once grown will contribute to the school soup kitchen feeding scheme at the school and for the disadvantaged. It was an inspiring morning of planning, creating and working! Mister Bechet, Comfort Mchunu, emphasised that they wanted to be part of projects that were sustainable.

                                         

                                                                       Photo: Frik Lange

The second event emphasised a product of the 'Scarecrow' collaborative project of ARROW-INDRA that included youth from ARROWSA Bechet in Durban, Lucknow India, Gorsehill Studios, Manchester, UK and South Roots International in Cape Flats, SA. The product is a song 'We're in this together!' that was the result of three online song-writing workshops, funded by National Arts Council and facilitated by Sue-Livia van Wyk of South Roots International. Vincent Salanji of ARROWSA management organised an interview with Ntombi Mtolo on Durban Youth Radio. Vincent and Sue-Livia were interviewed and the song was played over the radio. An exciting moment for all involved! Sue-Livia van Wyk of South Roots International made a call on the youth to be themselves and true to where they come from and are and not to try and be someone else. Vincent Salanji of ARROWSA management emphasised that Youth Day should be called Future Day and as that it should include youth coming together and devising strategies to ensure a bright future.

                                    

                                                              Photo: Kaylyn Govender

Photo: Kaylyn Govender

                                         

Photo: Kaylyn Govender

The ARROWSA youth's initiatives on Youth Day 2021 as part of their drive for sustainable change are an inspiration to all generations and give hope for a better today and future.