Today we remember what happened on the 16th of June 1976. We remember a protest against unfair education policies. We celebrate all the young people who have helped form this country.
In apartheid South Africa, blacks and whites were educated separately. Afrikaans, the language of the ruling National Party, was introduced as the language of instruction in black schools. The Soweto Students’ Representative Council organised a march in protest against this policy and poor schooling conditions.
In 1976, learners from around the country demonstrated against unfair education conditions in the schools. In Soweto, police opened fire on 20 000 students, killing 12-year-old Hector Pieterson and 61 others. Eight months of violent uprisings across the country ensued.
This protest against unfair education policies came to represent a protest against discrimination and inequalities. it lead to the new constitution prioritising children’s rights.
The day is used to mark the valuable contribution of all young people in the establishment of democracy and the role of education in the future of the country.
Youth Day – 16 June
No comments:
Post a Comment