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South Africa Youth Day: 5 facts to know about June 16th.

*Trigger warning: contains graphic images*

Youth Day South Africa happens every year on June 16. The day commemorates the SOWETO youth uprising of 16 June 1976.

Why do South Africans celebrate Youth Day?

This public holiday is an honor to South Africa’s young people who opposed the apartheid regime and helped the country of South Africa attain independence. Colonialists killed and jailed many young Black people during the 1976 Soweto Uprising.

What actually happened…

On June 16, 1976, between 3,000 and 10,000 Black students skipped school. They all met at Soweto’s Orlando stadium to protest against the White government’s education laws that had been oppressing Black students. Sadly, many Black young adults lost their lives in the protest. They were met by heavily armed police who fired tear gas and later, live ammunition on protesting students. Hector Pieterson, age 12, was one of the first students to be killed during the Uprising. He has since become a symbol of youth resistance to apartheid.

Mbuyisa Makhubu carrying 12-year-old Hector Pieterson who was shot by police, and Hector’s sister, Antoinette PietersonPhoto: Sam Nzima (1976)

5 Facts about The SA Youth Day

There are various countries worldwide that celebrate Youth Day. However, SA’s June 16th holiday is unique because of what it symbolizes to the black youth. It inspires the South African government to enforce strict human rights laws that prohibit racism, oppression, and discrimination.

Sarafina was released in 1992. It is a fictional musical/drama retelling of the 1976 Soweto Uprising. The movie features Whoopie Goldberg, lead actress named “Sarafina”- Leleti Khumalo, and Doja Cat’s father Dumisani Dlamini. Miramax, Hollywood Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, and Ariane Films have distributed the film. This movie is a memory that is being passed on to different generations, as every black South African home plays it annually on June 16th.

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