In the heart of the Koukamma Municipality area lies a small community called Wittekleibosch. Wittekleibosch forms part of 19 farms purchased in 1994 by the Department of Land Affairs on behalf of the Mfengu tribe who was forcibly removed from the area in 1977. The Mfengu comprises four communities of which Wittekleibosch is one. Wittekleibosch is currently owned by the Tsitsikamma Development Trust.
On the 19th of June 2021 as part of Youth Day celebrations an event was planned in Wittekleinbosch by Lifa Msizi and his wife Leera Msizi in commemoration of the Soweto youth uprising of 16 June 1976.
This event was supported by well-known performers that brought some entertainment to the community members. Lifa, one of the main planners of the event said: “This eventful day is the evidence that you can plan a successful event on a budget of R0”. The Co Op Community Trust is in full support of this as so many young people focus on their needs, and what they do not have, that they completely forget that it is also possible to focus on assets and strengths -- emphasizing what the community does have and how they can use that to contribute towards their community.
Youth day is the realisation of a vision and a dream fought for by thousands of South African youths. It is a celebration of youth, power and unity, how we as young people can impact the world if we put our minds to it. We look back at June 16, 1976 not only to reflect on how far we’ve come, but to remind ourselves to keep moving forward and use what we have, our skills, our knowledge, our talents that can contribute towards to our society. It is imperative that the youth of today see the benchmark of the fallen soldiers that had so little materially but great willpower and passion that brought us where we are today.
“Every single person has capacities, abilities and gifts. Living a good life depends on whether those capacities can be used, abilities expressed and gifts given”