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THE youth organisation, UNLASA (United Nations Leadership Academy of South Africa), is embarking on a peaceful picket protest on Saturday, January 26, to create awareness around the destructiveness of tyre-burning in the city.
The campaign, spearheaded by UNLASA’s CEO, Henry Jacobs, has been launched to empower communities and educating the youth on the destructive nature that destroys infrastructure.
“The tendency is that when people, specifically in the northern areas, are unhappy about anything, they burn tyres,” Jacobs said.
“This is not solving a problem; it’s aggravating it. It is destroying the very infrastructure we need to survive,” he added.
The anti-tyre burning protest will start from 09:00 until 12:00 this Saturday. Learners from various schools, mainly in the northern areas, will occupy intersections on Stanford Road and congregate for a series of speeches by youth leaders, opposite Cleary Park shopping centre.
Jacobs said, “The project is run by the youth for the youth. Learners will stand with placards and posters along Stanford Road and at the intersections.” According to Jacobs, infrastructure will be spared, parents will be able to go to work, schools will function as per normal and everyone will benefit.
One of the youth members, Munier Ahmed, said that the campaign would ensure that the youth had a future.
“It is our campaign. We are the future and we need to do something to ensure that we have a future. UNLASA is the platform for the youth by the youth. Each student represents a school.
“We provide all the tools to get the message out there. Stop burning and start learning. People should protest for change and not destruction,” Ahmed said.
The youth will be holding placards, slogans, banners and cars will be asked to ‘hoot’ if they agree.
Jacobs added, “Learners from various schools will wear their school uniforms and will be supported by partner organisations, community members, NGOs and government organisations.
“We ask the community to join us in making a difference.”
