Unrest breaks out at Naledi High School as Security police confront learners

Security police arrived at Naledi High School and attempted to arrest the leader of the local branch of the South Africa Students Movement (SASM). In retaliation students stoned the police and burned their car. The first sign of Black unrest in Soweto schools was noticed by government authorities on 4 June. The students were unhappy about being compelled to use Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in 50% of subjects in secondary schools. The matter was reported to the Minister of Bantu Administration and Development and of Bantu Education, M. C. Botha. Eight days after unrest broke out at Naledi High School (16 June), Tsietsi Mashinini led the peaceful protest of learners in Soweto, in what became known as the June 16 uprising. This event is recognised annually in South Africa and commemorated as Youth Day.