Sleeping around 'like suicide'

2009-06-16 14:40

Johannesburg - ANC Youth League president Julius Malema on Tuesday called on the youth to engage in crime fighting initiatives and to avoid having multiple sexual partners in a bid to fight HIV/Aids.

He was addressing thousands of people in the Huntersfield stadium in Katlehong, Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg, during the June 16 commemorations.

"We the youth must participate in crime fighting programmes...Engage ourselves in arresting civilians, especially those who steal from the poor.

"The youth of South Africa must be careful, especially those who think that sleeping around is fashionable. They must know that doing that is like committing suicide."

He called for the rollout of antiretrovirals and asked President Jacob Zuma to set aside for the youth 50% of the 500 000 jobs he had promised to create by December in his state of the nation address. The majority of people who gathered at the stadium were young people, with many wearing their school uniforms.

Hundreds of school pupils stood outside as there was not space for them in the packed stadium.

Others were drinking alcoholic drinks and smoking cigarettes, saying they had given up trying to get into the stadium.

The atmosphere inside was jovial, and the excited crowd chanted Zuma's signature song Umshini wam as the president walked to the podium.

The masses sang and danced with Zuma while others hoisted the African National Congress and South African flags.

- SAPA