#Revisit1976SowetoUprising – The Zanempilo youth reflects about the uprising
The brave youth of 1975 should not be forgotten.
Today marks 43 years since thousands of learners in Soweto embarked on what was meant to be a peaceful march. The demonstration was in protest against the apartheid government’s decision to make Afrikaans a compulsory language of teaching and learning in schools introduced in 1974.
The marching learners were heading to a rally at Orlando Stadium in Soweto but they were met by heavily armed police on their way.
Teargas and live ammunition were used on the protesting learners, 12-year-old Hector Peterson and 15-year-old Lesley Hastings Ndlovu were amongst the many to have lost their lives during the onslaught.
Soweto uprising protests led by black school children that began on the morning of 16 June ,After the introduction of Bantu education, FeesMustFall was about achieving the real social and economic change that their counterparts in 1976 had fought for and died..#June16 pic.twitter.com/d8AEYbKR4j
— H A B I B I (@Old_Geee) June 13, 2019
The outrage sparked what would be known as the Soweto Youth uprising. Although the uprising began in Soweto, it rapidly spread across the country.
The Soweto Youth Uprising played a significant role in strengthening the fight against apartheid. Images of police firing ammunition on protesting students sent shockwaves around the world, exposing the cruelty of the apartheid regime.
43 years on and South African learners are able to learn and speak any language of their choice.
Teddy Ndlovu believes it is important to teach the young people about events such as the 1976 Soweto Youth Uprising.
https://soundcloud.com/soweto-urban-news/teddy-ndlovu-explains-the-importance-of-teaching-youth-about-historical-events
Ndlovu is the director of Zanempilo, a Non-Profit-Organization in Dhlamini, where youngsters of all ages are taught drama, history and music.
“Some of them are unable to do their homework at home because of whatever situation may be there, others may not understand what they are being taught in class.
“When the kids are here, they are very happy, they learn about history, June 16 for example, what does June 16 mean to them as young people?” said Ndlovu.
12-year-old Siphesihle Nhlapo, a member of Zanempilo said she had learnt the importance of June 16 and the value of education.
[also read] – NYDA launches Youth Month 2019 at the Hector Peterson Memorial in Orlando West
“since I joined Zanempilo, I have learnt that young people like Hector Pieterson sacrificed their lives for the education that we have to today, and that we have to be grateful to the youth of 1976,” said Nlhapo.
While 11-year-old Siyamthanda Ngwenya, said it was important for kids to know the history of June 16.
“I think it is very important to learn about history because we would not have the education we have today if it were not for them [youth of 1976],” he said.
The days following June 16 saw the country descend to chaos, events of June 16 heavily titled the tables against the Apartheid government, with workers refusing to work and marches in Solidarity with learners taking place across the country.
The day of June 16 has since been marked as Public holiday on the South African calendar.
Follow Us Here:
Catch the latest news by visiting our other platforms:
