JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Tens of thousands of people gathered in Johannesburg on Tuesday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto Uprising, an important milestone marking the start of resistance against South Africa’s apartheid government.
There were various colourful performances by cultural groups at the commemorative rally, during which people chanted slogans, danced, and waved the national flag in tribute to the courageous youths who staged the demonstrations. Speaking to the mammoth crowd, President Cyril Ramaphosa lauded the great courage of the youngsters who were opposing oppression in the country. “Thousands of young people marched into the streets carrying only their school books, their school bags and the courage that they had in their hearts. They faced the oppressors with unbelievable courage, and because of their sacrifice, they rewrote the history of our country.”
The 1976 Uprising began when black students took to the streets to protest oppressive government-enforced educational policies.
This event takes place amidst a heated national debate on immigration. Speaking to the gathering, Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie implored the youth not to take matters into their own hands regarding a self-declared June 30 deadline set by anti-immigrant groups. “We do not want people who are undocumented. We have no problem with foreigners, but they must be documented,” said McKenzie. He further advised the youth not to be swayed by political agitators, saying, “Don’t let them tell you on the 30th you have to get rid of the illegal foreigners. You’ll be in jail, and they won’t bail you out.”
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