Remembering the legacy of the youth who fought for liberation

Youth Day: Remembering the legacy of the youth who fought for liberation

On 16 June each year, South Africans celebrate the contribution of youth to the liberation struggle. The day commemorates the Soweto youth uprising of 16 June 1976, which saw young people across the nation stand against the apartheid government’s education policies. More than two decades after democracy, South Africa’s youth face many challenges. This annual anniversary offers a moment to reflect on the impact youth can have on their communities, and how they have shaped South Africa’s heritage. Here are some commemorative sites youth can visit this month to be inspired to become change-makers:

THE HECTOR PIETERSON MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM

Hector Pieterson was a 12-year old who was shot and killed by police during the June 16 uprising in Soweto. He was the subject of a powerful photograph taken by Sam Nzima. The museum is located next to the Hector Pieterson Memorial in Soweto, in an area that has been declared a national heritage site. The museum allows visitors to see important scenes from that fateful day, and includes testimonies, pictures and audio-visuals to tell the story of the young people who protested and died 16 June 1976.

THE APARTHEID MUSEUM

The Apartheid Museum opened in 2001 to tell the story of the rise and fall of apartheid. The exhibits include film, photography and artefacts to illustrate the events and human stories that shaped South Africa’s history. A multi-disciplinary team of curators, filmmakers, historians and designers have assembled and organised the exhibits. Along with providing an insight into South African heritage, the museum is a superb example of design, space and landscape, and offers a unique South African experience.

CONSTITUTION HILL

Constitution Hill in Braamfontein, Johannesburg houses the Constitutional Court, but the precinct also offers a look into the hardships endured under the apartheid government. The site previously housed a prison, which held many anti-apartheid activists. Known as The Fort, the notorious prison housed common criminals together with citizens who were had broken apartheid laws. Today, sections of the prison have been transformed into memorial centres and museums.

ROBBEN ISLAND

Robben Island is best known for its prison which held political activists. Nelson Mandela was held on the island for 18 of the 27 years he spent imprisoned. Robben Island was declared a National Monument in 1996, and a National Museum in 1997, and tells the story of those who fought for South Africa’s liberation and the hardships they endured under the apartheid regime. The museum tells the story of the human rights abuses endured by prisoners, as well as the strength of human spirit in overcoming adversity, suffering and injustice.

HEROES PARK

Heroes Park in East London honours South Africa’s struggle heroes and celebrates the country’s cultural diversity. Hundreds of struggle icons – from poet and activist Dennis Brutus to Nelson Mandela – are acknowledged on a granite Wall of Fame. The site also houses the Multicultural Man statue, sculpted by Italian artist Francesco Perilli, which celebrates the history of the struggle and stands as a symbol of peace and humanity.

FREEDOM PARK

Freedom Park, in Pretoria, celebrates South Africa's heritage by combining the country’s experiences and symbols to tell one coherent story. It is a centre of knowledge aimed at deepening the understanding of the nation. The cultural institution houses a museum and a memorial dedicated to the many who contributed to South Africa's liberation. The museum tells South Africa’s story, from the dawn of humanity to the post-apartheid nation of today - a 3.6 billion year journey.

STEVEN BIKO STATUE

Steven Biko was the leader of the Black Consciousness Movement and his activism helped to empower black South Africans to reclaim their dignity. The movement was an important factor in raising political consciousness among the youth. In August 1976, at the height of the Soweto uprising, Biko was arrested and held in solitary confinement for 101 days. A year later, he was arrested in Port Elizabeth. He was severely beaten while in police custody and died on 12 September 1977. Biko’s legacy is commemorated with a statue outside the East London City Hall. •

THE SOWETO UPRISING

Protests started against an apartheid government directive, by the then Bantu Education Department, that Afrikaans should be used as a language of instruction in secondary schools. The Bantu Education Act of 1953 ensured that black pupils received education sub-par to that given to white pupils.

The Black Consciousness Movement taught by Steve Biko and the formation of the South African Students Organisation saw many young people becoming conscientised to the struggle movement and expressing anti-apartheid sentiment. This led to a series of protests, which increased when Afrikaans was made a language of instruction.

On 16 June 1976, between 3 000 and 10 000 students peacefully marched in Soweto to demonstrate against the government’s directive. The students were marching towards Orlando Stadium, where a rally was to be held. However, along the way, the students were met by heavily armed police who fired live ammunition at the demonstrators. Hundreds of young people were killed.

In response, uprisings spread across the country and carried on until the following year. The uprisings led to international outrage and saw the liberation struggle’s numbers swell

After democracy, 16 June was declared National Youth Day to honour the contribution of the youth in the liberation struggle.

Sources:

www.brandsouthafrica.com www.creativefeel.co.za www.rekord.co.za www.apartheidmuseum.org www.gov.za www.sahistory.org.za www.sahistory.org.za