05 June 2015

GALLERY: June 16 posters

The Soweto Uprising commonly known as June 16 or now as Youth Day in South Africa, is an incredibly important day due to the events that occurred. Students who had managed to mobilise themselves decided to march peacefully to protest the use of both English and Afrikaans as the main medium for instruction in schools. The march was disrupted by heavily armed police who used live ammunition on the students. This violent response to the peaceful protest, resulted in nationwide revolt and an increased awareness of the brutality of the Apatheid regime across the world. 

This collection of posters is from the SAHA Poster collection, and includes posters from the Medu Art Ensemble and a large selection of various youth leagues within South Africa. 

Silkscreened poster, produced by Medu Art Ensemble, date unknown. Archived as SAHA collection AL2446_0597Offset litho poster, issued by the Azanian Students Organisation (AZASO) and the Congress of South African Students (COSAS), date unknown. Archived as SAHA collection AL2446_0406Offset litho poster, issued by the Lenasia Youth League, 1986. Archived as SAHA collection AL2446_1191 Spray-painted poster, issued by the Kagiso Youth, circa 1986. Archived as SAHA collection AL2446_1205

Silkscreened poster, produced by Medu Art Ensemble, date unknown. Archived as SAHA collection AL2446_4905Silkscreened poster, issued by the Cape Youth Congress (CAYCO), 1987. Archived as SAHA collection AL2446_0411Offset litho poster, issued by the Congress of South African Students (COSAS) and produced by the Screen Training Project (STP), 1985. Archived as SAHA collection AL2446_1198Offset litho poster, produced by Medu Art Ensemble, date unknown. Archived as SAHA collection AL2446_4911

Offset litho poster, issued by the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) and Justice and Peace Commission, date unknown. Archived as SAHA collection AL2446_1274Silkscreened poster, source unknown, 1986. Archived as SAHA collection AL2446_1955Offset litho poster, issued by the Young Christian Students (YCS), date unknown. Archived as SAHA collection AL2446_1295Silkscreened poster, issued by the Cape Youth Congress (CAYCO), circa 1987. Archived as SAHA colelction AL2446_1199

Offset litho poster, issued by the Transvaal Indian Congress (TIC), date unknown. Archived as SAHA collection AL2446_0127Silkscreened poster, issued by the Johannesburg Democratic Action Committee (JODAC), 1986. Archived as SAHA collection AL2446_0235

See inventory for the SAHA Poster collection (AL2446)

Visit the SAHA online youth exhibition 'The Future is Ours: commemorating youth in the struggle'

Download a copy of the educator's guide to the exhibition

Visit SAHA's Exhibitions page to learn more about SAHA's exhibitions kits