Chairperson, hon members, the ACDP wishes all South African youth well as we prepare to celebrate national Youth Day next week. Let us also celebrate the wonderful contribution made by the talents, resources and ideas of our young men and women - young people who have acted as drivers of change and have participated actively in the development of our socially inclusive society, for which we can be very grateful.
We also, however, need to pause to remember those youth at risk, which include youth living with HIV and Aids, youth-headed households, youth in conflict with the law, youth abusing alcohol and drugs, and unemployed youth living in, often, extreme poverty. Besides the vibrant voice that we hear there is also a heartfelt cry for help, for guidance, for love and acceptance.
The ACDP believes that the main reason why there are so many young people at risk is the absence of fathers, and I will focus on this aspect as a father. This is not to detract from the many mothers, particularly single mothers, who are doing their very best to raise their children and who were acknowledged during the International Day of the Family on 29 May by the hon Minister of Social Development. She emphasised what the ACDP has continuously promoted; that it is strong families that build and ensure a better life for children and our country.
Let us then not forget the crucial role that fathers play. One of the key elements in assisting youth at risk will be when the fathers take up their rightful role to love, guide, protect and provide for their children. A well-known Argentinian author, quoting from Malachi, has said that for true transformation to take place in any society, the hearts of the fathers must turn to the children and the children to the fathers. It begins with the fathers.
As we prepare to celebrate Youth Day next week, let us as fathers take up our God-given role to provide the exemplary role models that we need for our children. Thank you. [Applause.]