While there might be several parties celebrating June 16, it is worthwhile to look at what the youth of today are doing.
On June 16, 1979, a number of young South Africans were killed in a political clash with the government of the day. The month of June has since been named Youth Month and while we commemorate those who lost their lives, we also have to look for the positive contributions that young people are offering today, thanks to the freedom they have.
This is what MTV’s #Youthoftoday is about. Coming to MTV (DStv channel 322) and MTV Base (channel 322), the show focuses on young people who are excelling in entrepreneurial ways. We have had programmes on rival channels show the lives of South African kids who live expensive lifestyles yet have never worked a day in their lives. The message those shows send is that of opulence and living off their parents’ success.
#Youthoftoday changes that, because here the young viewer is inspired to work and make their own money. The show is aimed at the 18 to 25 demographic.
“As channels that champion and serve young people, we want to challenge the common misconception that the youth of today are lazy, narcissistic, misled, directionless, fickle, tainted or just down-right disrespectful,” said Tim Norwood, the channel director of MTV Base, Africa.
And to support these sentiments, you will see how several youngsters step up to the plate and make extraordinary business moves.
Take Thatiso Dube, from Mamelodi. The young man created GalxBoy, an amazing street wear company that was so rewarding he made his first million when he was only 24. Or you could look at Midrand’s Lebogang Paka’s lucrative endeavour in sports. The 23-year-old owns a soccer team called the Midrand Rovers and it is doing quite well.
“At MTV, we know that young people are infinitely entrepreneurial, creative and passionate about their work, and that they are creating self-employment at a higher rate than those who stood before them. By telling the stories of inspirational individuals we hope to help address the balance and reflect the true contribution to the nation’s wealth and wellbeing,” said Dillon Khan, channel director, MTV.
• For more details on #YouthOfToday, see www.mtv.co.za or www.mtvbase. com. Tune in for the feature-length episode of #YouthOfToday on Youth Day (Tuesday) at 8.05pm on MTV (DStv channel 322), and on MTV Base (DStv channel 322) at noon.