Tutu warns on sense of entitlement

[caption id="attachment_39619" align="alignright" width="405"] CAPTURING THE OCCASION: Sundiswa Siyaka, 17, takes a selfie with Archbishop Desmond Tutu during the Power of Youth Leadership Programme at the V&A Waterfront. Picture: ESA ALEXANDER[/caption]

THE youth must break the cycle of dependency on government handouts and not take South Africa's independence for granted.

That was retired archbishop Desmond Tutu's message yesterday when he spoke to 40 high school pupils on the last day of a three-day youth leadership programme hosted by the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.

The workshop targeted Grade 11 pupils from the greater Cape Metro area.

"The government has done many good things," Tutu said.

"People who didn't have water now have water and many people have grants. Sometimes there are those of us who have tended to become entitled. There are things that the country has to do to invest in you. But things we get too easily we don't always treasure.

"We are glad you are free but in some ways I also think there are those of you who don't know what it cost to be free."

The workshop tackled pressing issues, including gender-based violence. - Philani Nombembe