MBOMBELA- This year mark 40 years since the Soweto uprising of June 16, 1976, which also spread to other parts of South Africa.
More than 10 000 students not only took part, but also changed the political landscape of the country.
Events that triggered the uprising can be traced back to policies of the Apartheid government that resulted in the introduction of the Bantu Education Act in 1953, where Black students were forced to use Afrikaans as the medium of instruction. This did not only cause a problem for the learners, but also for the teachers as well.
Unfortunately for the apartheid government, this did not sit well with the learners; they rejected this policy and took to the streets to show their anger to the then apartheid regime. Mindful that this might result in arrests and killing by the police, they didn’t care, they were fearless as they knew that they were fighting a just cause – not only for themselves but also for future generations and for this we salute them.
It is regrettable though that the current generation seems to forget that many sacrifices were made for them. To some of them, June 16 is about drinking alcohol while wearing school uniforms. The point of commemorating this important day is being missed altogether.
As we got closer to June 16 this year, politicians used it for electioneering purposes as they seek to get more votes from young people. They too are guilty of misleading the current generation. This day should only be about speeches and rallies; it should also be about actions that will improve the conditions of young people.
Young people are the ones who are sleeping on the streets in the main. They are the ones who are largely affected by poverty, unemployment, lack of funding in institutions of higher learning, high levels of substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and many other social ills.
South Africa is dubbed the “protest capital of the world.” In 2014, there were 218 protests across the country – one every 40 hours – double as much as in 2007 and the highest number since democratisation.
Sadly, the number is increasing to this day as we see more and more protests being reported every day.
It is important to note that young people are the main players in these protests; regrettably so – they resort to looting shops most of which are owned by foreign nationals, they destroy private and public infrastructure like burning clinics, libraries, schools and so on.
Can we say that they are fighting a just cause if they engage themselves in these barbaric acts? NO.
Most of the young people who engage in violent protests don’t even know what they are fighting for. Some see protests as an opportunity to loot shops because they are unemployed, poor and bored.
Some are just fighting proxy wars; politicians buy them with drugs and alcohol to fight factional battles that have nothing to do with them.
However, last year we have seen one of the biggest protests by students in the “Fees Must Fall Campaign.” This comes close to be compared to that of 1976; the current generation was clearly defining their mission and the government listened to them.
The students were not only fighting for themselves but for the next generations of students as well. And indeed, in some institutions, fees did fall.
As we celebrate four decades since the June 16 of 1976, we also have to self-introspect as young people. As the future of this country, we must ask ourselves whether we are doing justice if we continue destroying public and private infrastructure. What kind of a legacy do we want to leave behind if our only form of engagement is just violent protest?
Young people must understand that the country needs them now more than ever as the country is facing serious economic challenges. It has recently been reported that the GDP had shrunk by 1.2% and this means we are not producing but consuming as the nation. This will require the youth to come up with positive ideas on how we can move this country forward.
We have a future to build and this should be our generational mission.
* Tom Mhlanga is a former Secretary of YCLSA Shimi Matlala Branch, Wits University and he writes on his personal capacity.
