AZAPO Youth

Background

The Azanian Youth Organisation (Azayo) is a Black Consciousness youth organisation drawing its membership from black youth between the age of fourteen (14 yrs) and thirty five (35 yrs).

It was officially launched in 1987 as the official youth wing of the Azanian People's Organisation (Azapo), which is the only authentic flag bearer of black consciousness in Azania.

Azanian Youth Organisation was banned by the racist minority regime in 1988 together with its mother body, the Azanian People's Organisation (Azapo).

It was un-banned in February 2, 1990; with the rest of the liberation movement and trade unions movement. Some of the people who helped form and nurtured Azayo, including laying down their lives for the liberation struggle; included people such as Cde Thami Mcerwa - President, Cde Phindile Mavuso - Deputy President, Cde Sam Seema - President, Cde Mokiri Tshehlo - Organiser and others.

Aims and Objectives

1. To mobilise, politicise and unite youth the philosophy of Black Consciousness.

2. To encourage the involvement of the youth in problems facing them in particular and the Black people in general.

3. To work towards a nation-building programme which will instill a sense of creativity and co-responsibility among the youth

4. To promote trust among the Black youth. 5. To work towards the total transformation of the present system in this country, and the ushering in of an anti-racist, Socialist Republic of Azania.

Projects and Campaigns

Members of the Azanian Youth Organisation( Azayo) are encouraged to actively participate in the following projects, particularly in the impoverished settlement areas.

* Self Help Projects to advance communities

* AIDS/HIV Campaigns

* Anti Crime Campaigns

* Anti Women Abuse Campaigns

* Anti Drugs and Alcohol Abuse Campaigns

* Literacy and Health Awareness Projects

* Leadership Training Seminars and Workshops

Principles

* Criticism and self-criticism

* Democratic Centralism

* Collective Leadership

* Recall and Active Participation

Contact address : The Secretary General, Azanian Youth Organisation, PO Box 4230, Johannesburg, 2000. Secretary General