Soweto uprising

Date: 16 June, 1976

The Soweto students uprising began as a peaceful protest march by more than 20 000 learners against the use of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in Black secondary schools. It then escalated into a nation-wide revolt, revitalising the struggle for liberation in South Africa.

Apart from the language issue, students also wanted a better education, equivalent to that of their White counter-parts. When the police used teargas to disperse the crowd, students started throwing stones at the police, who responded by firing live bullets at the protesters. During the firing thirteen year old Hector Petersen was killed.

In retaliation to the actions of the Security police, nationwide chaos erupted. During the next few days crowds attacked everything they associated with the White government. Vehicles and buildings were stoned and set alight and two White officials were beaten to death. The police retaliated with force in an attempt to quell the rioting. Youth Day marks not just the sacrifices made by the youth on that day, but also the sacrifices of those children who defied “Bantu Education” and, instead of pens, took up arms in the struggle for freedom. Youth Day, June 16, previously known as Soweto Day, marks the celebration and commemoration of the events which unfolded on 16 June 1976.

References:

Anon, (N.d), ‘Soweto students march against government's language policy,’from South African history Online, [online] Available at www.sahistory.org.za,[Last accessed: 13 May 2011]

Boddy-Evans A. (n.d), ‘16 June 1976 Student Uprising in Soweto,’from African History, [online] Available at www.africanhistory.about.com, [Last accessed: 13 May 2011]