Why do we celebrate Youth Day?

JUNE 16 commemorates the day the Soweto Uprising took place in our country back in 1976.

The day is celebrated every year, in order to recognise the role of the youth in the liberation of South Africa from the apartheid regime.The day is celebrated on June 16 every year.

But what do we really know about this historical event?

On June 16, 1976, thousands of students took to the streets in what was meant to be a peaceful protest against the 1974 order which had been passed, requiring that certain subjects be taught in Afrikaans.

Afrikaans was largely seen by people as the “language of the oppressor” and it resulted in growing resentment in teachers as well as students.

On April 30, 1976,  resentment crossed all thresholds and the students of Orlando West Junior High School refused to go to school. On the morning of June 16, 1976, thousands of black students went on a protest rally from their schools to Orlando Stadium.

However, things soon got out of control and riots were seen all over the place. Hundreds of students were killed during the protest. 

Youth Day in South Africa is celebrated in memory of all the youngsters who lost their lives during the protest, possibly the most well recognised youngster being 13 year old Hector Pietersen, who later became a symbol synonymous with this movement.

It was the Soweto Uprising which laid the grounds for the release of Nelson Mandela and the end of the Apartheid regime in the country.

Photo: Internet