16 June 2006
Tens of thousands of people descended on the FNB Stadium in Soweto today to
commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the 1976 uprisings and pay homage to the
heroes and heroines of the historic day.
Youth Day was celebrated under the theme "Age of Hope: Deepening Youth
Participation in Development". The theme encourages young people to actively
participate in the construction of a new country and the development of their
own communities. It also reflects on the spirit of optimism based on the
opportunities provided by democracy and progress made in improving the lives of
young people as envisaged by the 1976 generation.
South Africa has gone a long way since young people took to the dusty
streets of townships to fight for freedom. The democratic government has put in
place a number of programmes to ensure that the needs of young people are
addressed.
Earlier in the day Johannesburg Mayor Amos Masondo turned the sod for the
construction of a park opposite Morris Isaacson High School where the 1976
Soweto Student's Representative Council leader Tsietsi Mashinini attended
school.
The park was named June 16 Memorial Acre in memory of all the young people
who died throughout the country during the uprisings. A collage of Mashinini
was also unveiled at the Park. During the ceremony MEC Ignatius Jacobs handed
certificates to the two groups of youth and veterans who built the park.
President Thabo Mbeki and several dignitaries, including Premier Mbhazima
Shilowa, cabinet ministers, the mayor, MECs, National Youth Commissioners and
members of the June 16 Foundation then led a 5 kilometre march through the
streets of Soweto. They followed the exact route of the protest march by Soweto
students on 16 June 1976 to the point where one of the first victims,
12-year-old Hector Pieterson, was shot dead by the police.
At the Mofolo Bridge, the 2,5 km mark of the march, a moment of silence was
observed for the children who paid with their lives 30 years ago.
The march ended at the Hecter Pietersen memorial, where wreaths were laid by
the President, Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad, the Premier, the mayor,
National Youth Commission chairperson Jabu Mbalula and representatives of the
June 16 Foundation and families.
Following the wreath-laying, the day's events continued at the FNB stadium,
where tens of thousands gathered to commemorate the day with a national salute
including a 21 gun salute and air display by the South African National Defence
Force, speeches and cultural items.
The remarkable and life-changing contributions of the class of 1976 was a
turning point in the history of struggles waged by generations of leaders of
our liberation movement in the fight for a free and democratic South
Africa.
Students, parents, teachers, workers and the broader community stood
together to fight the government and give them freedom of choice.
Today our country is a democracy and we commemorate the defining role the
youth of 30 years ago played in South Africa in the struggle for freedom and
democracy.
Enquiries:
Annette Griessel
Tel: (011) 355 6859
Cell: 082 563 3614
Issued by: Office of the Premier, Gauteng Provincial Government
16 June 2006
