The significance of Youth Day
The June 16 1976 uprising that began in Soweto and spread countrywide profoundly changed the sociopolitical landscape in South Africa.
Youth Day, celebrated annually on June 16, is a commemoration of the young people who lost their lives during the Soweto youth uprising on 16 June 1976 in the struggle against apartheid and in particular, against the unjust Bantu education system.
In 1975, protests started in African schools after a directive from the then Bantu Education Department had been issued the year before that Afrikaans was to be used on an equal basis with English as a language of instruction in secondary schools. This caused black students to begin mobilising themselves. The June 16 1976 uprising that began in Soweto and spread countrywide profoundly changed the sociopolitical landscape in South Africa.
Thousands of students marched peacefully to demonstrate and protest against the government’s directive. The march was meant to culminate in a rally in Orlando Stadium.
On their way to the stadium, they were met by heavily armed police who fired teargas and later live ammunition on the demonstrating students. This resulted in a widespread revolt that turned into an uprising against the government.
The iconic photo of Hector Peterson, 12, being carried by Mbuyisa Makhubo and his sister Antoinette crying hysterically alongside, was taken by The World photographer, Sam Mzima and has become the symbol of Youth Day.
What will you be up to on Youth Day?
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