Alex remembers the fallen heroes of the 1976 student massacre
The Alexandra Museum commemorates the forgotten massacre of 18 June 1976 in remembrance of the 35 people that were killed by the apartheid police.
The Alexandra Museum was commemorating the forgotten massacre of 18 June 1976 in remembrance of the 35 people who died on that fateful day.
This event was held at the Alexandra Museum on Sunday, June 18 to also celebrate the lives of other survivors and family members. This is the day that Alexandra remembers, as students in 1976 changed the course of history when they took to the streets to protest against the apartheid regime. Following the uprising which started in Soweto and spread countrywide where students were protesting against the unjust educational system.
Japie Vilankulu was one of the first victims in the Alexandra massacre in 1976 at 2nd Avenue.
“We are here in Alexandra to commemorate the late Japie Vilankulu, we were invited by the Japie Vilankulu Foundation and his family. He is one of the victims of 1976 who was the first one to be shot here in Alexandra by the apartheid police. His legacy has really not been amplified as it should be and as Action SA together with the family has committed that we will work together in ensuring that his legacy and contribution towards the struggle are not forgotten, especially since the youth of 1976 are not forgotten,” Funzi Ngobeni, Action SA Gauteng Leader said.
Obed Mabena, Deputy Minister of Public Enterprise said, “Today I’m here as one of the students that marched in 1976 here in Alexandra, where we had the first victim comrade Japie Vilankulu, and today we are here to commemorate him and the other 34 victims that were killed.”
“Obviously today we are disappointed in the young people of today who fail to connect with our history- because history teaches you and is a foundation of one’s life because without history and culture you are not a being. Also, it’s important to know your culture and origin.
“As people of Alex, we should be happy that we have a place that stores all the artifacts, historical material and visual elements. The Heritage Centre helps to store our history and present so those who are born today, and in the future, when they grow older, can connect and read about the origin of Alex, and the 1976 students who joined the uprising to say no to apartheid education and to Afrikaans as a medium of instruction and said yes to freedom,” Mabena said.
Mabena also condemned the use of drugs and alcohol by young people as it does not align and help honour what the youth of 1976 fought for.
“Alcohol and drugs have taken over and the youth has lost the plot. The first mission that we have to embark on will be how can we put an end to alcohol abuse in our youth, also, how can we reduce teenage pregnancy. Therefore, today I urge all the young people present in here to go to school because education is free, and this is a way to honor those who fought for it in 1976.”
Mabena promised to keep commemorating those who played a great role in reclaiming the country’s freedom, “We are going to write Japie’s history because he was one of the black consciousness members who fought the apartheid government for his people and we will very soon be putting up a statue of him.”
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