Vox Pop: What is the significance of Youth Day to you?
JOBURG – As June 16 approaches, it marks the 40th anniversary of the 1976 uprising in South Africa.
Robyn Moore: I understand why the youth of 1976 were protesting and believe people have the right to choose the language they want to be taught in.
This month marks the 40th anniversary of the Soweto uprising, when students marched against Afrikaans being made a compulsory medium of instruction in schools.
The students were attacked by heavily armed police officers who fired teargas and fired at them. This resulted in widespread resistance that turned into an uprising against the government.
One of the most memorable moments is the photograph taken of Hector Pieterson being carried through the streets after being shot. June 16 has significance to people and what they associate with Youth Day.
Paul Dlamini: The importance of the day is for the youth and a reminder of Hector Pieterson’s death.
Khensani Wison: Youth Day symbolises the efforts the youth of 1976 contributed against the struggle and fighting against learning in a language they did not understand.
Zama Bhuthelezi: 16 June symbolises our rights and freedom. I think it is a cool holiday, I acknowledge what the youth did for our generation.
Khalil Rassool: It represents the massacre of the day. It was a very sad day and also a remembrance of Hector Pieterson and what he was fighting for. It is sad it cost him his life.
Tame–Lee Beck: I know that on the day a protest took place involving pupils who did not want to be taught in a language they did not understand. I understand why they were protesting.
Robyn Moore: I understand why the youth of 1976 were protesting and believe people have the right to choose the language they want to be taught in.
Mpho Mgoepe: To a young woman like me, Youth Day symbolises change, power, unity and the youth fighting for what they believe in. Freedom was achieved.
Ndumiso Yende: I believe that currently the youth don’t pay enough attention to the importance of the day.
Marco Oostehuizen: I don’t really remember the significance of 16 June but it is great to have a public holiday and do what you want to do.
Tshepo Mofokeng: 16 June symbolises the student uprising of 1976 and a turning point in South African politics. I don’t think the youth of today truly understand the significance of the day.
Carl Leser: The day symbolises freedom and what the youth today can do as opposed to the youth back then. The history of the day must be more publicised to educate the youth of today.
Lynette Pretorius: What I know is that the youth then stood up for themselves. Their efforts were not in vain, it means something today and was worth it in the end.
Anto Mashile: 16 June means a lot to me, it brought a lot of changes in the lives of the youth today and then.
Avhashoni Gadise: it is important as it reminds us of our past. We need to remember what happened on that day and honour the leaders of the uprising.
Denzel Mabhula: It sort of liberates us. It reminds our government that this country is where it is today because of young people. We shouldn’t forget about this day.
Elize Botha: We mustn’t forget our roots and where we come from. I think it is relevant as it teaches our youth values and morals to appreciate the little they have and build on.
Joseph Mokwena: This serves as a reminder of what transpired in 1976. It reminds young people that they should be rebellious for a good cause.
Linden Police Lt Col Helen Haramse: I think that even if there is freedom of speech, education must be free, that is the most important thing. Yes, there is still racial tension and that is another thing the youth should fight to change.
Linden Police Detective Warrant Officer Bokkie Keulder: Every 10 years a new group of the youth makes a change, it has been proven over and over again. It is important that the youth have a say. If I can send a message to the youth of South Africa, it would be that they should accept each other, accommodate each other and build each other up.
Linden Police WO Tania Vermeulen: Youth Day symbolises a change and how we were all united. I hope this day can remind the youth of what happened on June 16 1976 and the youth must make sure that they learn from that day.
Linden Police Sergeant Orden Masumpa: 16 June reminds me as an adult who is still young at heart that we need to stand up and fight for what we feel is right.
Linden Police Station Acting station commander Lieutenant Colonel Ahmed Zaieed Musthan: Youth Day represents freedom and expression by the youth. The most important thing in a person’s life is his freedom. If you oppress a person, they will be willing to die to gain their freedom. It represents how the youth objected to be oppressed. Freedom is the most important issue and that is why we have the Constitution in this country.
Cozette Laubser: Today is a very good reminder for people to come together. As the day explains, it calls for the youth to come together and spend time together to reflect on what happened on this day many years ago. We should make decisions that will benefit the youth of the country and our country as a whole.
Caroline Sthembile Mfolo: We must remember how our black youth struggled to be taught in English and not Afrikaans. It is difficult to learn with a language you don’t understand and they wanted something better than what they were receiving.
Tiana Conradie: For me 16 June is very special because in such an amazing country like South Africa, it is extremely important for the youth as they are our future and we will soon rely on them to carry this country forward. It is an important day to also celebrate the youth and see how we can empower them as well as educate them so that they can become leaders and take this country forward.
Nompumelelo Biyela: If it weren’t for those that died on that fateful day. We would not be studying in the languages that we want and would still be oppressed.
Annuska Pretorius: 16 June is about the youth and it is important for the youth to realise what they have today. However the youth must know that things don’t come easily they must work hard for what they want. Today’s youth have it easy but they must put in the work today to secure their future.
Tsholofelo Molokoane: 16 June means a lot to me because now we have this free education and we can study any subject at any university all because those kids on that day died for this freedom that we enjoy today.
Winnie Banda: Youth Day symbolises a free country. We must be able to choose the language we are taught in.
Replace Munereni: The youth should keep their legacy alive and tell children about Youth Day.
Katie Hart: Youth Day symbolises the impact that the youth will have on our future. They are the next generation.
Lance Dunn: Youth Day is still significant as it brought about a lot of change.
Kelsey Long: I don’t know. At school we used to have an entrepreneurial day where we had to promote our own business. I think if all the youth were empowered and there was more of a celebration of Youth Day that would be best.
Judy Gauld: Youth Day is no longer what Mandela made it out to be anymore because children today don’t know much about Mandela. The past is used selectively and the day has lost its significance.
Roger Gauld: There is no significance anymore as the youth are no longer concerned with the past. Society’s focus has changed.
Vincent Dlamini: It is good for the youth to know what happened in the past and for them not to forget that we may all be different flowers but we all come from the same tree.