The reunion weekend intentionally coincided with the 50-year commemoration of the 1976 youth uprising in Soweto. We were reminded of the bravery of the youth of Soweto and of South Africa more broadly, who – donning their school uniforms – marched out of their schools and onto the streets to protest both apartheid’s imposition of Afrikaans as the language for educational instruction and the state-sponsored violence of apartheid. This is also relevant because Volmoed Youth, as an ecumenical community organisation, was founded in 2016 during the 40th anniversary of the 1976 youth uprising.

The theme and subtheme for the weekend were “I call you friends” and “From fear to courageous community”, respectively. The themes beckoned attendees to take up the baton and fight against injustice and inequality (or to “raise their hand!” in the words of Reverend Allan Boesak, who spoke at the reunion). The weekend’s activities included singing and drumming – with the drums being handmade by Volmoed Youth members themselves. For Volmoed Youth's director, Rev. Edwin Arrison, drum-making is a tool to empower young people