Up Beat Issue Number 2 1992

Teenage life is full of challenges.’ That’s what Ebrahim Abader from Cape Town thinks. He’s right. When you are young there is lots to learn and discover about yourself and the big world out there. It's exciting! But it can be a miserable time too. It is not easy to meet a challenge when you are worried about pimples, can’t do your maths and are suffering from a broken heart. You are special but you are not alone. Young people all over the world are probably going through what you are. Believe it or not your parents and teachers where once teenagers too. Ask them what it was like. There is a big challenge facing all of us, especially young people in South Africa today. We have to learn to live together; to accept differences and respect one another’s feelings and beliefs. It is called tolerance! Your parents, brothers, sisters, comrades, neighbours and friends have their own ideas. Listen to them with an open mind. In this issue you can read about a great school in Tongaat in Natal. Here students have learnt to forget about colour and together are discovering what real learning is all about. Meet Simon Nkoli. He knows what it’s like to be treated unfairly and to grow up feeling different and alone. So readers, speak out, listen, read and learn. That’s the way to get wise. That’s the way to meet the challenge of being a teenager in South Africa today. Some of you may be writing supplementary exams. Go for it - you can do it this time! We are holding thumbs