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16 June 2013
GALLERY: Youth Day
On the 16 June 1976 a peaceful student’s march against the apartheid government’s language policy ended in violence, tears and death. The Soweto Uprising started when more than 20 000 learners protested against the use of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in black secondary schools. Students also demanded an education that equalled white student’s education. Police tried to disperse the crowd with teargas and the students retaliated with stone. The police response was to open fire on the students killing 13 year old Hector Pieterson.
The iconic image of Hector Pietersons body being carried through the streets reminds us of the importance youth played in South Africa’s liberation. Youth day is celebrated annually on the 16 June.




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