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What was happening on Youth Day?
Youth Day commemorates the Soweto youth uprising of 16 June 1976. On 16 June 1976 between 3000 and 10 000 students mobilized by the South African Students Movement ‘s Action Committee supported by the BCM marched peacefully to demonstrate and protest against the government’s directive.
Why did the 1976 youth protest?
The June 16 1976 Uprising that began in Soweto and spread countrywide profoundly changed the socio-political landscape in South Africa. Events that triggered the uprising can be traced back to policies of the Apartheid government that resulted in the introduction of the Bantu Education Act in 1953.
What caused the Soweto Uprising in 1976?
High school student-led protests in South Africa began on the morning of June 16, 1976 in response to the introduction of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in local schools. The police fired teargas and live ammunition on demonstrating students.
What happened on 16 June Youth Day only?
Why is Youth Day so important?
“Youth Day means acknowledging the sacrifices of the 1976 youth that fought for our freedom during the apartheid era and the bettering of our education. It’s also being mindful that though the struggle against Apartheid is over, the war against systemic discrimination is far from done.
Why is June 16th so important?
On 16 June 2021, which is declared a public holiday, is a day set apart to recognise the bravery of protesters in Soweto, led predominantly by high school pupils who demonstrated against the South African Apartheid regime’s enforced introduction of Afrikaans as a medium of teaching in schools.
What is the importance of Youth Day?
Youth Day is celebrated on March 12. Youth Day recalls the day in 1962 when young people were killed during the independence movement. The day celebrates young people and their contribution to development. It recognizes that the young people are the future leaders and must be treated as such.
What Youth Day means?
“Youth Day means acknowledging the sacrifices of the 1976 youth that fought for our freedom during the apartheid era and the bettering of our education.
What was the aftermath of June 16, 1976?
The aftermath of June 16, 1976, had severe consequences for the Apartheid government. Pictures of the police firing on peacefully demonstrating students led to an international uproar against South Africa and its Apartheid system.
Why do we Celebrate Youth Day on 16 June?
Updated 01 June 2021. On June 16 each year, South Africans celebrate Youth Day. Youth Day commemorates the Soweto Uprising, which took place on 16 June 1976, where thousands of students were ambushed by the apartheid regime.
Why was the youth of 1976 so important?
1976. It marks a year when the youth of this country was tired. That’s when the youth marched for their rights. That’s when the youth decided to fight for themselves not letting anyone else fight for them. Tyre’s were burned. Today we just rejoice and find ourselves floating on cloud nine because, “It is just another public holiday.”
Where did the student uprising of 1976 start?
The Student Uprising of 1976 started in Soweto on June 16 when police massacred marching school children on their way to the Orlando Stadium for a rally, killing over 500.