Youth Delegation 2007

Who? Representatives from NUS and Labour Students

 

Where? South Africa, Swaziland and Zambia

 

Why? To engage young people in the UK with issues affecting the people of Southern Africa. To ensure that they become active in these issues when they return to the UK.

 

Delegates had the chance to learn about the history and legacy of apartheid through a visit to the District Six and Apartheid museums as well as a journey of remembrance through a township. A tour of the South African Parliament gave students a taste of contemporary South African politics as did the fact the trip coincided with the beginning of COSATU?s national strike over pay increases.

 

In Johannesburg Coca Cola South Africa invited the delegation to a canning plant to see the support it offers to HIV positive workers, and a trip around a township with Men as Partners gave students the chance to observe street interventions on sexual health. Delegates participated in a Men as Partners workshop on gender equality and HIV/AIDS with young South Africans and compared notes on cultural practises and the experiences of young people in the UK and South Africa.

 

A day was spent in Swaziland with ACTSA?s partner Swapol it visited rural communities providing support and relief to those affected by HIV/AIDS. Delegates remarked on what an inspiring and positive experience the day was .

 

The delegation made contact with students unions in South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Swaziland, offering a unique opportunity for participants to meet with their counterparts and learn about the challenges some students face in attempting to organise and build links and solidarity. NUS delegates found much common ground with their southern African partners in terms of their goals and over issues like welfare. The South African Union of Students (SASU) took delegates to the annual Youth Day celebrations which celebrate the role the youth played in fighting for liberation and in national development.