Soweto, the South Western Township, is currently the largest township in South Africa. In addition to the astonishing size of this township, Soweto is also famous for the student uprisings that took place in the South African winter of 1976. On June 16th, 1976 thousands of students attempted to hold a peaceful protest at Orlando West High School. Students held these protest, against the apartheid regime, to revolt against the “language of the oppressor”, Afrikaans. The apartheid regime stripped the rights of the coloured and black South African people, stopping at nothing to gain full control, even in the realm of education. In 1976, students were forced to learn several subjects in Afrikaans. Due to this many fell behind in school, often causing frustration amongst the students. Not only did this change affect their attitudes, but the parents’ as well. Parents would watch their children come home defeated day after day, loosing interest in school and with this the protest began.
The peaceful and orderly march started at Orlando West High School. Children traveled from schools including Naedli High School, Emdeni, Jabulani, Zondia, Mofolo North, Mofolo Central, and Dude. They stood in rows of five, holding hands, chanting, “Senzeni Na? Isono sethu bubumnyama, Iamabununu ayizinija. (What have we done? Our crime is blackness. The white people are dogs.)”
Soon after the peaceful protest began, blood was shed. Policemen started to throw stones and chaos broke loose. As students started to disperse, gunshots were fired and tear gas canisters were thrown. Tragically, a bullet hit Hector Pieterson, a thirteen-year-old bystander who was not involved in the march. “Police attacked every child, whether he was causing havoc or not.” With this, blacks retaliated burning municipal buildings, cars, and shops. Over six hundred people, including some whites died on the first day of the march. On the 17th and 18th news of the uprising spread across the Witwatersrand, and soon over eighty African communities caught wind.
Hector’s death was a major turning point during the anti-apartheid struggle. News reached people all over the world, including the United Nations. On June 23rd, the U.N. Special Commissions against the apartheid called for a Secondary Committee action against South Africa. People’s Republic of China followed in the U.N.’s footsteps, sending a letter of support to the people of South Africa, condemning South African authorities. This was one of the events that led to a decline in South Africa’s economy due to boycotts and disinvestment.
It is astonishing to see how students, younger than myself, can make such a difference. We tend to think that children do not have the capacity or capability to understand something as serious as discrimination or prejudice. We tend to think that children will do as told, but this is not always the case. They have strong beliefs and are willing to stand up for their rights just like you and I. Unlike the children of the apartheid, I have not yet had anything to stand up for. I am embarrassed and proud to make this statement. Embarrassed because I am uneducated in regards to United States politics. However, I am proud because the generation before me has paved the way. The generation before me has set the standard as have students at Soweto. They have paved the way for the born-frees who live in South Africa today. South Africa still has a long way to go, as does the United States, in regards to segregation. However, with time we can work to dismantle these stereotypes and prejudices. What can you do to dismantle these stereotypes in your community?
3 Responses to Soweto by Danielle Vandenbulcke