Soweto (a name derived from an acronym for South Western Township) was founded before the 20th century. Soweto is the biggest township in South Africa, in which all languages are spoken – most people speak at least five languages, and it is home to Nelson Mandela. Soweto used to be divided in different tribes; today, it’s not as divided, but people still adhere to it. On June 16th 1976 students rose in revolt against the Government plan to enforce the use of Afrikans, which is a symbol that stood for the dominant Afrikaner people as a language of instruction of their schools,. Young people were infused with an idealism that defied the authoritarian style of government; the youth symbolized a fresh and vigorous resistance to the apartheid. What started as a peaceful demonstration grew into a civil war that dragged on for many months; hundreds of young black South Africans lost their lives. On June 16th 1976, the police shot dead 48 adults, 8 youths, and 6 children, and in the days that followed, 160 simultaneous similar protests took place around the country. I was surpised to learn that there was resistance in schools prior to the 1976 uprising; for example, students from boarding schools would hold boycotts because of discipline and practical issues, such as food, which was more of an issue of power for the students. Their protest changed the course of history and led to a free and democratic South Africa.
The South African youth paved the way for the African National Congress (ANC) to come in and prepare for the establishment of a democratic system of government. Soweto is a symbol of the New South Africa, a vibrant city, which despite the scars of the past, has emerged as a place of energy, creativity, and imagination. There was no turning back after this landmark event, which created a new generation of youth who demanded swift changes at any price. Increased government repression fuelled by violence continued an endless cycle of commotion and disorder. Finally the government, under pressure from both inside and outside the country, was forced to unban the ANC and released Nelson Mandela on February 11th, 1990. The first free and fair elections took placed on April 23rd, 1994, and Nelson Mandela was elected president.
During our visit to Soweto, we went to The Regina Munda Church, which had an extensive exhibition on the Soweto uprising. The exhibition is both a remembrance of things past as well as a celebration of the vibrancy and energy of a new society based on humanitarian values. The exhibition is a tribute to the courage of those young student of 1976, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice in the struggle for liberation. While we were not able to attend the church service, we toured the church once mass was over. The church was a place of refuge and the only church that remained open during the Soweto uprising; the funerals of children who died in 1976 to 1987 were held in this particular church. I was shocked to see the vast amount of bullet holes that were embedded in the church’s walls from the Soweto uprising. One of the church’s clergymen also pointed out on a piece of window glass pain that the bullet holes were from both inside and outside of the church. The church’s alter is a constant reminder of the Soweto uprising, as a bullet penetrated and broke its side.
I thought that Soweto was one of the most interesting places that we have visited on our trip. The history of Soweto is the history of South Africa where a society has risen above an oppression and turbulent past to create a nation where freedom and democracy prevail.