The Northern Cape Premier Dr. Zamani Saul is set to deliver the keynote address at the 2026 Provincial Youth Day commemoration at the Victoria West High School in Victoria West on Tuesday 16 June 2026. This year’s commemoration of Youth Month, which will be held under the theme “Reset@50 – The Future Calls – Our National Commitment to the Future for Freedom Lives in Every Generation “ will have added significance as it coincides with the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the 1976 Youth Day Uprisings that took place in Soweto, as well as with the 30th anniversary of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the 70 years since the historic Women’s March of 1956.
As we celebrate Youth Month a clarion call is made to all South Africans to come together and embrace unity in our diversity to further strengthen our democracy. The Northern Cape Department of Sport, Arts and Culture will host and support a series of local book launches during Youth Month as part of the 50th Anniversary commemoration of June 16. The initiative seeks to promote a culture of reading, education and storytelling amongst young people while honouring the legacy of the 1976 youth who fought for equal education opportunities in South Africa. The books to be launched are
- The Cursed Kingdom by Danilson Manu from Platfontein
- Stuck by Lapies from Kimberley
- The Adventures of Zizi and Hoho by Kabelo Moratwe from Kimberley –
- Seganka by Tumelo Thekoeng – Kuruman
- Sephiri by Nkululeko Mono – Barkley West
Coupled to the book launches , drama continues to play an important role in cultural expression, education and youth development within our communities and therefore as part of our youth month celebration , the Department of Sport , Arts and Culture will be supporting the participation of six productions at the National Arts Festivals that will reflect the province’s rich storytelling traditions, cultural heritage, linguistic diversity, lived experiences, and artistic innovation:
- Galeshewe 5
- Pantsula Love Story
- Gqwirha
- Khoes – The Frontier Dust
- IreOluwa
- Eie-naar
The Province will also be hosting Youth Day Celebrations in all other districts on the
13 June 2026
- Namakwa – Recreational Sport and Cultural Activities – Brandvlei School Sport Grounds
15 June 2026
- ZFM – Social Cohesion Dialogue and Exhibition. Sandile Present Library – Upington
16 June 2026
- Frances Baard – Community Dialogue – Val Span Primary School – Jan Kempdorp
- JTG – Community Dialogue – Siyathemba Youth Centre Kathu
The Youth Celebrations in Victoria West will also include a Government services fair to enable community members to access government services.
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the celebrations as follows:
Date: 16 June 2026
Venue: Victoria West High School
Time: 10h00
Media enquiries
For more information or media accreditation, please contact: Naledi Gaosekwe @ 067 417 3648 – ngaosekwe@gmail.com – Spokesperson to the Premier of the Northern Cape or Conrad Fortune @ 079 8730679 – conradfortune01@gmail.com – Communications Manager – Sport, Arts and Culture