SPEECH DELIVERED AT VERULAM SECONDARY SCHOOL (FORMERLY VERULAM HIGH SCHOOL) ON FRIDAY, COTOBER 10 2004

Just over 15 years ago on October 10 2004, this correspondent was invited to deliver a talk to students at my former Verulam High School on the north coast of the KwaZulu-Natal province in South Africa. The school was built through the hard work of descendants of indentured labourers in order to provide opportunities for their children to progress in life. Some of the local leaders who contributed tremendously to the construction of the high school were Mr Y S Chinsamy, Mr Ismail Kathrada, Mr R L Beharie and Mr D S Moodley. I was privileged to have attended the school between 1961 and 1964 because of the commitment of the teachers and the school principal, Mr Simon David. Some of the teachers who stood out at this time were Mr K P Rajoo, Mr G R Moodley, senior, Mr G R Moodley, junior, Mr Kissoon, Mr P A Pillay, Mr Juta and Mr Archary. It was because of their dedication and commitment that most of us graduated to enter important professions. I am publishing the speech below because I considered Verulam High School to have played an important role in my development to become an activist journalist during the dark days of apartheid in the 1970s and 1980s.

(This was my matriculation class in 1964. Our form teacher was Mr K P Rajoo, who sometime in the late 1980s migrated to Canada. I can recall the names of some of class mates.) SPEECH TO BE DELIVERED AT VERULAM SECONDARY SCHOOL ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10 2004 Good afternoon boys, girls, teachers and all others present here. It gives me great pleasure to come here this afternoon to say a word or two. When one of your class mates, young Tyrone Naicker, telephoned me and asked to deliver an address to you I was more than pleased to do so. I am very excited that the young boys and girls of this school have established the Student Development Association - the name itself gives an indication that there are some young people here who are concerned about the social conditions in which they find themselves. I am happy to be here today. I attended this school from 1961 to 1965 when it was known as the Verulam High School. At that time the school principal was one of the great educators and community leaders of that era, Simon David. The school was staffed by some of the most dedicated teachers who graced the classrooms at that time. I am certain the teachers today are just as dedicated and committed as those of our era. And the pupils at that time came from all the areas in and around Verulam and from all social backgrounds, languages and religions. Most of the pupils were from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds where their parents worked as labourers in factories and sugar cane fields and where they lived in houses built of tin and wood. CAME FROM OTTAWA For example I came from an area in Ottawa known as Tin Town. My father worked as a labourer for a large soap company in Durban and my mother worked at a clothing factory in Ottawa. Life was tough - with my parents having to take care of seven children and in addition - two adopted children. I used to fetch water from the nearby river on two tin drums and carrying them in what we used to call a banga. I also used to fetch coal from the railway line which we used for fire. At that time we did not have running water, electricity or flush toilets. You must be wondering why am I telling you all this? What is Mr Govender worrying us with what happened so many decades ago? It was your time. Why are you telling us all these nonsensical things? Boys and girls don't be alarmed. My purpose in giving you a little picture of what was life in the early days is to show you that nothing came to people of our generation on a plate. The vast majority of the pupils who attended Verulam High during my time and for many years after that - all of them did not allow their poverty or social and economic disadvantages to be an obstacle in their desire to attain a decent education and improving their lives. Most of the students of that era went on to become teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, business people, and other upward mobile social careers. Many also entered the technical field. I was one of the few who entered the field of journalism. I want to show you that life is not easy and no matter the circumstances - all of us should concentrate on our education, and strive to attain the highest qualification possible. Once you have attained an educational qualification you can then stand on your own. You don't have to rely on your parents, your family members or the government to give you a job. You can take care of yourself and stand on your own two feet. Your utilmate aim should be to become an Entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs are are a special group of people that start businesses and create their own opportunities. They not only improve their careers and financial prospects but also contibute to the growth and development of others and our beautiful country. Why become an "employee", when you could be an "employer" and create jobs and opportunities for others. But before you do this - we have to remember that you have to steer clear off all types of anti-social activities that are having a detrimental effect on our youth. We have to respect our parents, our elders and most of all our teachers. The great Mahatma Gandhi once said: "Live the Life you want to be." In other words, it is not up to others but you yourself to decide what you want to be. If you concentrate on your education and attain the highest qualification possible - then there's no doubt that your life will be better. But at the same time if you feel that your parents will always be there to take care of you and attaining a decent education is not your priority - then life will definitely be different. You will not be ready for your life ahead and the cruel world out there. Fifteen years into our new democracy - we today face many challenges and it is up to all of us to play our part. South Africa is pregnant with opportunities in all areas of life and it is up to you take advantage of the new conditions. We did not allow our social conditions to deter us and so should you. If you fail to attain a decent education then you will only be contributing to the many challenges we face today. LIFE WAS NOT EASY LIFE IS NOT EASY OUR THERE. In my work as a journalist - I have noticed that young people face many problems today - there are peer pressures, sex, drugs, smoking, alcohol, and other anti-social activities. You must decide for yourselves what you want in life. If you become caught up in anti-social activities then you must realise that you are not going to enjoy life to the exent that your colleagues who will graduate to become engineers, Information Technology specialists, doctors, lawyers, media practitioners, artisans like electricians, plumbers, builders and other fields. Let me give you an example. A 16-year-old girl pupil from this very school a few years ago found that having a boy-friend was far more important than her studies. She ignored the pleadings of her family and within a matter of months became pregnant. Now more than two years later she - a child herself - is the mother of a girl child. She now spends her time looking after the child while her husband to be, who also does not have a decent education, works as a waiter in a hotel in Umhlanga. Now ask yourself what is the future of this young girl, who is a child herself? If she does not continue with her education, she is going to rely on her waiter husband or her parents to survive? One just hopes that this little girl will have the determination to continue with her studies for her own good and her future. You have to guard against becoming involved in anti-social activities that will only ruin your lives. STAY AWAY FROM ANTI-SOCIAL ACTIVITIES As young people - you must get yourselves involved in sporting activities. There are many opportunities today - football, cricket, tennis, squash, athletics, golf and other sports. I hope you are doing this now in school and also during off-school hours. You must remember that if you keep yourself physically occupied then you will also have a healthy mind. "An idle brain is a devil's workshop." MAHATMA GANDHI In conclusion, I want to leave you with another of Mahatma Gandhi's inspirational verses. He said: "You come into this world only once, any good you could do, do it now, because you will not pass this way again." He also said and I quote: "There are many causes that I am prepared to die for but no causes that I am prepared to kill for." Don't follow the reckless noises of a person called Julius Malema. Do you know who this thug is? Yes he promotes himself as a leader of the youth. But he's not. He's no example to our young people today. I want to leave you with another wise advice from Mahatma Gandhi. He said: "I ask nobody to follow me. Everyone should follow his or her own inner voice." Boys and girls, I am deeply concerned that some of our young people are taking life for granted. Once again - if I have to repeat for the umteenth time - please remember that the only way you are going to take care of yourself and lead a decent life in this materialistic world of ours - is by attaining a decent education. Please please please concentrate on your studies, follow the advice of your parents and elders, and strive to become constructive and productive citizens of our country. Please remember that only with a decent education you will be able to compete in the world out there. Our parents and forefathers did not give us wealth or money. Their legacy was the importance of education. Don't allow yourself to be mis-led by anti-social elements in our environment. Rise and rise above all these to become a productive citizen of our beautiful country and the world. But always remember where you came from and the sacrifices your parents and others have made for you to have a better life. I know you will be going out into the world soon - if you want me to answer some of your concerns about our social and political conditions - I am only too willing to do. I hope I have given you some food for thought. Thank you very much for giving me a patient hearing. - M. Subramoney October 10 2004