Name: Thabani
SURNAME AND INITIAL: Mr T Mazibuko
Student number: 50445057
Date submission: 03 May 2024
Introduction
The Soweto Uprising Occurred on June 16, 1976, in Soweto, South Africa, in protest of the
government's plan to implement Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in schools for Black
students. This involved relocation of people to designated homelands, and the
introduction of the Bantu Education Act. So, I would outline how this act Bantu
education causes Soweto uprising, those who were involved and how police, media,
outside people react to this. I will also focus on how uprising effect student
community and infrastructure.
Caused of Soweto uprising
The direct reason for the June 16, 1976, protest was caused by the implementation
of Afrikaans as the language of teaching for half of the subjects in high schools. The
Deputy Minister of the Bantu Education Department (Punt Janson) refused to
improve access to higher education and employment for black people. He thought
that by offering education in their own language, black individuals would feel more
connected to South Africa. In 1976, Black individuals rejected the Afrikaans language
as they believed it represented the language of the oppressor. Teachers and
students lacked the necessary qualifications for teaching and learning in the
language, yet they were still required to do so despite some resistance. Because of
the government's decision, certain children, like those in Soweto, were starting to be
taught geography, history, and social science in Afrikaans in Standard 5 instead of
English, which had been the medium of instruction for those subjects since they
began school. The change was to be implemented in high schools in Soweto as one
of the initial locations. From the beginning, the Banty Education System was created
to groom and equip black individuals for their function in the recently developed
apartheid society. The government believed that providing black people with a quality
education would result in them losing their sense of identity and cultural heritage.
Organizations and individuals alike closely examined this education system. This
view as major factors contributed to Soweto uprising. (Earth History of South Africa,
2003).
Who was involved in uprising?
These are people who was in involved in the beginning of Soweto uprising the
lawyer writer a letter to Mrs Modiagotia on 21 February 1977, the west Rand bantu
affairs administrator was involved and Mafison Morobe the sudent at Morris Isaacson
School who wrote the letter. Tsietsi Mashinini, a student leader who played a huge
role and the one who arranged the meeting to discuss about the introduction of
bantu act. Hector Peterson, a 13-year-old student who was fatally shot during the
uprising, emerged as a powerful emblem of the fight against apartheid Punt Janson
the Bantu Education Deputy Minister asserted that the government would not seek
input from Black individuals regarding the language used for teaching. Black
students from South Africa in Soweto numerous students from different schools in
Soweto took part in demonstrations against the government's proposal Rebecca
(1977:17-18). SABC News, “Learners in the June 16th, 1976, March, relives that
day,” accessed 8 March 2024, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pER5igA-m8.
According to Mashabela (1987:12) ‘’there was agreement to partition schools into
three sections, with Morris Isaacson overseeing the first, Naledi the second, and
Sekano Ntoane in charge of the third. Morris Isaacson was supposed to join nearby
schools - White City Jabavu, Mofolo, and Dube - on the journey to Mncube
Secondary School, and together they would proceed to our final destination, Orlando
Stadium. Naledi High and Sekano Ntoane were both expected to accomplish the
same task. Tsietsi led the meeting with participants including Mafison Morobe, Ndibe
Motaponyane, Simon Mokoena, and Seth Mazibuko’’Mashabela (1987:12).
How did the police, media and ordinary people in south Africa and outside
react?
police
According to Peter Magubane (2009:13)’’ the police tried to break up the students and
stopped them from following their intended route. Tear gas was utilized on the crowd,
causing the students to retaliate by hurling stones at the officers. Some reports
suggest that the police let loose dogs among the crowd, resulting in the death of one
dog’’. The students grew angrier, yelling anti-police chants and throwing additional
stones and, according to some reports, bricks at the officers. At least one officer shot
live ammunition into the crowd first, followed by other officers shooting as well.
Multiple students sustained injuries, while two lost their lives. Peter Magubane
(2009:13).
Media and outside
Tass and Radio Moscow (English to Africa) Soweto were first treated by the French
service. Petrov commented at 15.00 GMT on the day of the rising, discussing the
world's overwhelming. Fury directed towards South African racists 'whose hands are
stained with the blood of African school children.' On 16 June, Radio Moscow's
English broadcast to Africa reported the Soweto unrest as the tenth news item.
on the news at 6:30 PM GMT Nicholas (1976:2). The global response resulted in a
tougher stance against the government and a ramping up of the anti-apartheid
boycott movement Nicholas (1976:2).
Effect of Soweto uprising on student, members of community and
infrastructure
Mr Manie state that during the protest all the wrap infrastructure in Soweto was
demolished. This resulted in 21 offices being set on fire, 10 being looted, 3 schools
burned, along with unspecified quantities of municipal halls, beerhalls, and bottle
stores Kallaway (1994:38). This has the negative effect on student because
other students lost their lives for example hector Peterson.
Did the students eventually achieve their goal after the protests?
Students did achieve their goal because after protest they gain international
attention: The uprising drew global attention to the brutalities of apartheid, leading to
increased international pressure and condemnation. Unity and mobilization: The
event united students, activists, and communities, mobilizing a new generation of
anti-apartheid activists Christie (1991:20).
conclusion
In my opinion students did achieve their goal because after protest or strike other
languages was made official in south Africa. I have outlined the causes of Soweto
uprising, the reaction of media, outsider, and negative impact of Soweto uprising to
community, infrastructure and students.
Refence list:
Christie, P. 1991. The Right to Learn: The Struggle for Education in South
Africa. Johannesburg: Sached Trust/Ravan Press.
Ndlovu, Sifiso. The Soweto Uprisings: Counter Memories of June
1976. United Kingdom: Pan Macmillan South Africa, 2017.
Saunders, Christopher, and Nicholas Southey. 1998. A Dictionary of South
African History. Cape Town: David Philip.
Kallaway, P. (ed) (1984). Apartheid and Education: The Education of Black
South Africans, Johannesburg: Ravan Press.
SABC News. “Learners in the June 16th 1976 March, relives that day. Accessed 8
March 2024. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pER5igA-m8
