JUNE 16TH

South Africa commemorates the Soweto Uprising in the country. Youth day is celebrated on the 16^th of June each year, to recognize the role of the youth in the liberation of South Africa from the apartheid regime.

 This movement was stared in 1974 when Afrikaans was made compulsory in schools. This order stated that Afrikaans should be used in conjunction with English for teaching learners at school. Subjects such as Mathematics and social sciences were taught in Afrikaans. The use of home languages was prohibited.

Afrikaans was largely seen as a tool to oppress and it resulted in growing resentment in teachers as well as students. Things changed on June 16^th 1976, when thousands of black students went on a protest rally from their homes to Orlando stadium.

Although this rally’s outcome was peacemaking, things got out of control and riots were all over the place. Many students were killed during the protest. So youth day is celebrated in memory of all the young people who lost their lives during the protest, especially the death of Hector Pieterson , who was a 12 year old student who was killed during the uprising. The day is also celebrated with musical concerts around the country. Various Youth non-profit organizations organize awareness campaigns on this day. It is to alert the youth to be aware of the challenges that the youth can face in today’s world. The release of Nelson Mandela was the end of the apartheid regime.

http://www.southafrica.info/about/history/soweto-150606.htm

Happy youth day to all young people out there and remember to act responsible because for every action there is a consequence. Remember those who died, fought and suffered for you to get freedom. !