JOHANNESBURG - Youth Day is rooted in unity, courage, and collective action.
Various political parties held gatherings on Monday to mark the event.
WATCH: Youth Day | GBV, poverty, and exclusion haunting young people
The Soweto Uprising in 1976 marked when more than 10,000 pupils marched against the introduction of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in schools.
They were met by apartheid police, who opened fire on the children with teargas and live ammunition.
The image of Hector Peterson being carried by Mbuyisa Makhubo after being shot brought into sharp focus, the violent oppression of black people under apartheid.
Nearly 50 years later, we asked commentators why there are no non-partisan events but instead political parties use the day as a platform?
Political commentator Sam Mkokeli, and political activist Anele Mda discussed the situation with eNCA.