Key People in the June 16 Soweto Youth Uprising

Many people were involved in the historic turning point that 16 June 1976 became. These South African students, parents, activists, government employees, and others were in Soweto itself and elsewhere across the country. They made their contributions (from positive to destructive) leading up to the day, on the day itself, and through the tumultuous period following June 16th. The biographies here are of some of these role players. This section of our site is currently being researched further, so the selection is provisional and is in no way intended to appear an exhaustive list of key participants. The plan for this section is to organize biography categories as follows: student organization leaders, students, parents, government leaders, eye-witnesses, other key leaders, and Soweto poets and artists, to name a few. Tsietsi Mashinini (deceased) Khotso Seatlholo (deceased) Murphy Morobe - (Head of Communications in the office of President Thabo Mbeki) Seth Mazibuko Elias "Roller" Masinga SSRC backroom strategists Billy Masetlha Super Moloi Daniel Sechaba Montsitsi Trofomo Sono Sibongile Mthembu Mkhabela Titi Mthenjane Thabo Ndabeni Jefferson Lengene Paul Langa Hector Pieterson Other: Mbuyisa Makhubu Hastings Ndlovu (deceased) Antoinette Sithole Peter Lengene Mapetha Mohapi Tepello Motaponyane Mathe Diseko Mpho Mashinini Rocks Mashinini Micky Tsagae Selby Semela Martin Legassick Jonty Driver - President of NUSAS Thami Mhlambiso - Deputy President of NUSAS 1961-2 Malusi Mpumlwana Mxolisi Mvovo Kenneth Rachidi Harry Nengwekhulu Tebogo Mafole Bokwe Mafuna Thom Manthata Justice Moloto Peter Lenkoe - Student at Madibane High School and President of ASM Mathe Diseko - President of National Youth Organisation and National Secretary of SASM Zweli Sizani SASM Organiser Vusi Tshabalala SASM President Mamphele Ramphele - SASO member Henry Isaacs - SASO President in 1973 Masterpiece Gumede - SASO Joe Phaahla - President of AZASO Aaron Motswaledi SANSCO Secretary-General Simpiwe Mguduso SANSCO President in 1984-85 Batandwa Ndondo Leo Marquard - first president of NUSAS John Shingler - NUSAS Adrian Leftwich - NUSAS Maeder Osler - NUSAS Ian Robertson - NUSAS Ambrose Makiwane Dumisani Mbatha Deliza Mji - SASO President Super Moloi Solomon Mahlangu Jacob Mashabane Dumsani Mbatha William Tshimong Barney Makhatle Cedric Mayson Nana Mahomo Mosima "Tokyo" Sexwale Poppy Buthelezi ANC Leaders who established contacts with Soweto Student Leadership: Eliot Shabangu Joe Gqabi Martin Ramokgadi Drake Koka - BAWU assisted SSRC Naledi Tsiki Paul Langa Petrus Nchabeleng