Johannesburg – Honouring the courageous youth of 1976, an estimated 10 000 people braved cold weather and marched through the streets of Soweto on Sunday as South Africa marks yet another anniversary of the June 16 student uprising.
The crowd, led by Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane, sang revolutionary songs and shouted ‘siyaya siyaya’ (we going forward) as they strolled through Soweto from Naledi High School to Orlando Stadium. This is part of the route that learners took 37 years ago, before their violent confrontation with the police on Vilakazi Street in Orlando West. Their revolt signalled the beginning of the end for the apartheid regime.
At Sunday’s march, participants wore white t-shirts displaying the famous image of Mbuyisa Makhuba carrying fatally injured Hector Pieterson after opened fire on students protesting compulsory lessons in Afrikaans. Children as young as 10 years, but strong enough to walk the long distance and carry the placards, took part. Even though some may not know the full story, but they do show an understanding of this historical event, like 13-year-old Ayabulela Mani who’s understanding is that the youth of 1976 fought for equal education.
“They fought so that all of us can enjoy equal education and access to better schools. My mom says if it was not for them we would probably be learning in Afrikaans at school.”
Pieterson also believed to have been 13 at the time of his death was among the victims of the events which gave birth to the movement that eventually defeated Apartheid.
June 1976 signalled a tipping point in South African politics. The youth had had enough of segregation and apartheid brutality. This was a major event in South African history and several people who were part of this march tell from their own personal experience of this historical event.
Jerry Maqhethuka, now aged 54, remembers the events of the day vividly.
“I remember I left my parent’s house in Naledi as early as 6am and my parents were very suspicious. No one could predict what was going to happen but we knew trouble was brewing but we had no choice but to say no to an unjust system. For us it was either we accept the Afrikaans thing and fail the rest of black youngsters or fight.
“When the police started shooting at us, you could hear the cries for help as people started running and others falling. We all regretted to see what started as a peaceful march ended with blood and loss of life. But we will never,” Maqhethuka said.
For Katlego Maseng, June 16, 1976 is a day he would never forget as it created problems in his family. “After that day, I had to run away from home because the police were looking for us, we were hunted down like animals so suddenly. Home was not safe at all, one had to live with relatives and we were always on the run.”
At Orlando Stadium, speakers stressed the significance of 16 June 1976, and the role played by the youth on that day, in changing the history of South Africa.
“The walk that we have taken today symbolises the respect that we have for the country’s history and those who sacrificed so much for us and this mobilises the people of Gauteng and South Africa towards a common goal,” said Johannesburg Mayor Parks Tau.
Struggle veteran Ahmed Kathrada encouraged today’s youth to “emulate” the class of1976 saying: “You need to remember their sacrifices and not take their efforts for granted”.
Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane said: “We want to move away from 1976 and start telling the story of the youth of South Africa from 1994, the future is in our hands”.
Mokonyane, who warned her audience about the danger of drugs and substance abuse, said Gauteng has placed youth development on top of the province’s priorities. “Indeed we say tomorrow will be better than yesterday.” - SAnews.gov.za
