June 16, 1976

The morning of June 16, 1976 high school students of Soweto, South Africa led a series of protests. A series of protests which involved the youth of South Africa to join together to riot in response of the Afrikaans Medium Decree of 1974 which forced blacks to use the Afrikaans language in schools. It is said that up to 20,000 black students participated in the protest, which was originally intended to be peaceful and carefully planned. As they marched and rallied down the streets of Soweto carrying signs and chanting "Down With Afrikaans" the police stood close by armed with deadly weapons and ready to attack. Colonel Kleingeld, a police officer at the protest, fired the first shot at a student who had thrown a rock at him and from there caused massive chaos and panic.

Today we honor the estimated 700 people, mostly South African youth, who lost their lives due to the protest.  June 16 or "Youth Day" is a public holiday in South Africa commemorating the Soweto riots of 1976.

Above is an iconic picture of 13 year old student Hector Pieterson who was shot by South African police during the protest being carried in the arms of 18 year old student Mbuyisa  Makhubo.  Pieterson was taken to a nearby clinic where he was pronounced dead at the scene. Makhubo was threatened and harassed from police after this photograph was released. He wrote a letter to his mother in 1978 while in hiding and hasn't been seen or heard from since. This image brings home the brutalities of the Apartheid regime to people inside and outside of South Africa. National Youth Day is a day to honor young people and to bring attention to their needs of an equality driven estate. 

Photograph taken by: Sam Nzima 

"I dream of an Africa which is in peace with itself." - Nelson Mandela

Xoxo .... Maria