On this day in 1976, over 10 000 students took to the streets of Soweto in protest against the Apartheid governments’ decision to make Afrikaans the medium of instruction. Tired of being ignored and controlled, they took it upon themselves to fight for change.

They refused to be left out of the decisions that governed their lives. In a way, the VIP campaign strives to do something similar, by taking over the political agenda and pushing for youth-influenced change on key issues that affect our lives.

We want young people to be actively engaged in their democracy through knowledge of different policies that influence their lives and reflect their realities. We want young people to take ownership of their democratic power, their right to be heard and their responsibility to hold the government accountable.

We want to inspire young people to take control of their lives and become actively involved in changing their reality, by reflecting their political opinions, insights, concerns and ideas of nationwide community of young people providing them. The #VIPYouthFest as well as the entire VIP campaign aims to be the home where these discussions will be taking place and amplified. So join us for the festival, in Cape Town and Joburg, as we share the #VIPAgendaZA

What to expect today:

• We have poet Nova Masango reciting one or two of her poems, followed by a quick question and answer session.
• We have a walkabout, facilitated by our photography mentor Siyabonga Mkhasibe, upstairs in our office space which has been turned into a small gallery by our good friends Kalashnikov. Some of the photographers exhibiting include Andile Buka, Jonathan Wood, . Their work will be exhibited throughout the festival so please be sure to check it out.
• There’ll be two film screenings, one of  a screening of Roger Young’s Keys, Money, Phone downstairs
• A very special screening of one of our Live interns Nadine Kutu’s  videos which should be very entertaining
• Laz Gola and friends will be giving us the funnies.
• eNCA will be broadcasting the State of South African Youth debate, facilitated by Siki Mgabadeli live from our offices Panelists include Maps Maponyane, Eddie Ndopu and Kavisha Pillay.
• We end their days proceeding/festivities with a performance by SAMA award-winning rapper Reason.

Tweet us at @LiveVIPZA using the hashtag #VIPYouthFest.