Listen friend…

Yes it's you I mean – Amrit, Amina, Marimoothu, or whatever your name is – what are you interested in? Football? Cricket? Swimming, maybe, or other sports? What are you keen on? Films? Dancing? Studying, perhaps? Do you like reading? Do you want a chance to learn a proper trade or profession?

Whatever it is, there are thousands like you, young South Africans who never have the chance to get the kind of education they should, who are prevented from using their skills and talents to the full, who are frustrated in their search for decent employment and restricted in their leisure-time activities by the absence of sports and cultural amenities.

Every young person born in this country is entitled to certain things, no matter who he is or what his race.

Why shouldn't you get them? Why shouldn't you have a chance to go to good, well-equipped schools? To enjoy playing fields and sports equipment? Swimming baths, recreation centres, libraries? Why shouldn't you have a chance to study to the fullest of your ability, and a chance to practise the trade or job or profession of your choice?

Millions of South Africans are asking these same questions today and are determined to do something about it, too. Unless your are prepared to sit down and submit to harsh indignities and discrimination, you should do something about it as well.

Millions of South Africans during the coming weeks and months are going to discuss what they want from life, what they think they are entitled to, what they understand by freedom. They are going to speak of freedom, and draw up their demands into a Freedom Charter. And of all the demands, those that affect the youth are most important, because it's you, and all the young people like you, with the best part of their lives in front of them, who will enjoy that freedom so long denied to most South Africans.