Youth Day, as it is popularly known, is a day in which South Africans honour the youth that was ambushed by the apartheid regime police in Soweto on 16 June 1976. “We must use the example set by the students of 1976 to inspire our youth to dedicate themselves to being empowered and fighting HIV/Aids, in the same way the youth of 1976 dedicated their lives to defeat apartheid.”. CW. International Youth Day: History, Top Tweets in South Africa, 2021 date, Facts, Quotes, and things to do. Taelo Mokoena from Houghton, Johannesburg, said there are great lessons to learn from the students of the 1976 uprisings. 16 June 2020. Type. On the day … We need to liberate ourselves from our circumstances and take up opportunities that are available to us and build a better future for ourselves.”, Mokoena said the biggest lesson young people of today should learn from those in 1976 is the courage to fight for change. According to the African Economic Outlook, on average, more than 70% of Africa’s youth live on less than US$2 per day, the internationally defined poverty threshold. The context. Youth Day in South Africa is celebrated on June 16th each year and commemorates the Soweto uprising where youth helped in the cause against the Apartheid regime back in the day. Youngsters around South Africa are gearing up for Youth Day on 16 June, which pays tribute to the same date in 1976 when thousands of students in Soweto rose up to protest against Afrikaans being the medium of instruction at schools. States. Youth Day in South Africa commemorates the Soweto Uprising in the country. Previously known as Soweto Day, Youth Day marks the start of the Soweto riots on this day in 1976. Youth Day marks the start of the Soweto riots of 1976. When is International Youth Day shown on a calendar. Through musical events, historical discussions, and educational displays, the South African people use this day to spread awareness and openness about the changes that have come to South Africa. I am fighting to see all young South Africans realise the benefits of the uprising.”. The riots were ignited by a government ruling that all teaching in black schools would be held in Afrikaans. “For this country to grow and develop, the youth need to be empowered. Tladi offers career guidance to high school students in his community and helps them apply for bursaries and scholarships, and secure a place at tertiary institutions. Youth Day is a public holiday celebrated in South Africa every year on 16 June and pays tribute to the hundreds of students who lost their lives during the 1976 uprisings in Soweto. Carmel Marock and Candice Harrison-Train, who edited the report, summarise the findings. Register to receive our latest news and updates. The issue was not so much the teaching in Afrikaans, but rather the whole system of education which was characterised by separate schools and universities, poor facilities, overcrowded classrooms and inadequately trained teachers for the black majority. June 16 South African Youth Day. Madau said young South Africans remain a central part of the country’s success. To be updated on Brand South Africa news and events join our media list. Taelo Mokoena from Houghton, Johannesburg, said there are great lessons to … Youth Day is a public holiday in South Africa, and it is observed on June 16 each year. Sign up to receive a weekly email update on forthcoming public holidays around the world in your inbox every Sunday. The iconic picture of Hector Pietersonwhose sister now works at a museum which honours Hector Peterson and his family claim that the apar… Previously known as Soweto Day, Youth Day marks the start of the Soweto riots on this day in 1976. Youth Day in South Africa, which falls on June 16 th, and this year shares with Father’s Day, is a significant date is South African history. A man preys at the Hector Pieterson Memorial to mark the country’s Youth Day holiday in Soweto, South Africa, Tuesday, June 16, 2020. (Image: Bongani Nkosi), MEDIA CONTACTS • Thapelo Sakoana Department of Social Development Media liaison officer +27 12 312 7303 or +27 78 453 6750, RELATED ARTICLES • Youth month marked in SA • Youth Month focus on empowerment • New youth agency for South Africa • Aviation, maritime careers for youth. “Our student heroes of 1976 were fighting to change the political situation of this country back then. The uprising was a major event in the struggle against apartheid in South Africa. Youth Day celebrates the contribution that young people made to the struggle for freedom in South Africa. Hector Pieterson, just 12-years-old at the time, was one of the first children to die during the student protest. Is Youth Day a Public Holiday? Youth Day commemorates these events by giving school children all over South Africa the day off. The issue of Afrikaans becoming a medium of instruction in schools was part of broader discontent with the Bantu Education Policy of the time. On 16 June 16 1976, about 20,000 students from Soweto undertook a peaceful protest march against the Bantu education system which was poorly equipped, overcrowded, separated and … youth day in south africa World . This Youth Month, I ask you to remember those young individuals ̶ past and present ̶ who have given their lives so that we might see a free and inclusive South Africa. After several clashes with the police and sporadic violence over the next few weeks, approximately 700 people, many of them youths, had been killed and there was widespread destruction of property. On June 16, 1976, schoolchildren marched in a protest that began the Soweto Uprising . When high-school students in Soweto started protesting for better education on 16 June 1976, police responded with teargas and live bullets. Youth Day South Africa(16 June) 2020 Theme The theme of the 2020 Youth Month will be: “Youth Power: The South Africa together in the … 16 June Youth Day South Africa. In 1975 protests started in African schools after a directive from the then Bantu Education Department that Afrikaans had to be used on an equal basis with English as a language of instruction in secondary schools. South Africa celebrates Youth Day in respect and memory of all those innocent lives that were killed during the protests. It Is The National Holiday Dedicated To Youths Of The Country. Today, the 16th of June, is Youth Day, a public holiday in South Africa, observed to commemorate the 1976 Soweto uprisings. On June 16th 1976 nearly 30,000 pupils from Soweto joined a protest march. It is commemorated today by a South African national holiday, Youth day, which honors all the young people who lost their lives in the struggle against Apartheid and Bantu Education. The iconic picture of a black schoolchild shot by the police (Hector Pieterson). Youth Day in South Africa is commemorated every year on the 16 th of June in remembrance of all the young people, mainly students, who lost their lives during the Soweto Uprisings. Youth Day Is Celebrated On 16th June In South Africa And Also Observed by the 18 More Countries. Youth Day in South Africa commemorates the start of the Soweto riots of 1976, in which protests took place against Afrikaans being the language of instruction used in schools South Africa Youth Day June 16. 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It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. Year. “We need to always keep the awareness; we can never allow that kind of oppression to exist again in our country,” said Thato Sibeko from Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape. The commemoration of Youth Day this year marks the 37th anniversary of the 16 June Soweto uprising and was celebrated under the theme “Working together for youth development and a drug free South Africa”.The national Youth Day commemoration took place in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal. Now marked as Youth Day, June 16 is a day to remember how far this country has come and how far it still has to go. South Africa holidays 2022. South Africa Youth Day June 16 Throughout the history of South Africa, black citizens have suffered from segregation and oppression by the white leaders. It came in response to multiple issues with the Bantu Education Act and the government edict in 1974 that Afrikaans will be used as medium of instruction for certain subjects in black schools. Youth Day commemorates the Soweto uprising in South Africa. Office Holidays provides calendars with dates and information on public holidays and bank holidays in key countries around the world. The youth day in South Africa is a public holiday that is annually commemorated on the 16th of June. The Soweto uprising was a series of demonstrations and protests led by black school children in South Africa that began on the morning of 16 June 1976.. Students from numerous Sowetan schools began to protest in the streets of Soweto in response to the introduction of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in local schools. It commemorates the Soweto Uprisings which occurred in Johannesburg in 1976. Vilakazi Street will transform into an epitome of youth culture, showcasing the entrepreneurial and creative spirit of a youth … People can visit musical concerts or attend youth programs around the country designed to help the youth. We need to keep the knowledge of our history conscious in our youth, to encourage them to be daring and face their challenges and succeed.”, Sibeko said the day should be used to take stock of the progress the country and its youngsters have made. June 16 South African Youth Day Image I strive to change the socio-economic environmental of our country today,” said Thabiso Tladi from Pinetown in KwaZulu-Natal. On 27 April 1994, South Africa held its first democratic election after the dissolution of the Apartheid state. Youth Day is a national holiday in South Africa . A system of segregation was introduced long before the 1948 elections: Find the perfect Youth Day Is Celebrated In South Africa stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. If Youth Day falls on a Sunday, a public holiday will be observed on the following Monday. Date. In 1975 protests started in African schools after a directive from the then Bantu Education Department that Afrikaans had to be used on an equal basis with English as a language of instruction in secondary schools. New Year's Day is a public holiday. Youth Day commemorates the anniversary of Soweto uprising, which is a series of protests led by black school children in South Africa that began on June 16, 1976. “We should use this time to celebrate the strides we have made since that day. Weekday Day. FILE: A South African youth holds a placard during the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the uprisings in Soweto, South Africa, Friday, June 16, 2006. We should also take this time to reboot and gear up to continue to empower young people.”. Previously known as Soweto Day. It is a day violently etched on the South African collective conscience. Young South Africans say they will be celebrating this year’s Youth Day by standing up and confronting the challenges they face – just like their compatriots did in 1976. With Youth Day almost upon us in South Africa, we feel it's important to revisit our history and understand why exactly we're here to remember it. Youth Day is a public holiday. What is youth day all about? It is usually held in memory of one particular protest which culminated in a wave of simultaneous countywide protests in what came to be known as the 1976 Soweto uprising.This was a direct response to some issues in the Bantu Education Act and the 1974 … Students in … Youth Day commemorates the Soweto youth uprising of 16 June 1976. It is estimated that 20,000 students took part in the protests. Name. Youth Day History. According to SA History Online, a post-mortem revealed that Pieterson was killed by a shot fired directly at him and not by a bullet “ricocheting off the ground” as police claimed. Vacation. “By educating myself and helping other young people also get an education I am fighting for change. Youth Day is a public holiday celebrated in South Africa every year on 16 June and pays tribute to the hundreds of students who lost their lives during the 1976 uprisings in Soweto. The Sweto Prising Noor Nieftagodien. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed. Though the apartheid government was still in power for years after this movement, many view this as one of the important turning points in South Africa. The efforts of the government were designed to support the apartheid society.According to SA History, it is mistakenly understood that there was “no pre-apartheid educational marginalisation of Black South Africans”. Also, on the day’s line up is a knowledge sharing panel discussion seeking to up-skill young entrepreneurs on the reality of being an entrepreneur in South Africa. “We should always celebrate June 16 because the courage of the youth then proved to us that it is possible for young people to bring change in our country.”, “Unemployment and HIV/Aids are the two major struggles the youth today are faced with,” said Dikeledi Madau from Rustenburg, North West. By subscribing you will receive continuous newsworthy information. Select from premium Youth Day Is Celebrated In South Africa of the highest quality. Ticking time bomb “Our country has come far in achieving the growth our youth enjoy today – we need to protect that because it didn’t come easy. Youth Day is a national holiday in South Africa celebrated on June 16th. “We all now have equal opportunities to study and pursue our dream careers and live a better life. South Africa holidays 2021. He said although today’s youngsters are not fighting for the same things, they are also facing challenges that they need to liberate themselves from, such as unemployment, poverty and crime. A photo, taken of Pieterson’s lifeless body being carried by Mbuyisa Makhubu with his sister Antoinette Sithole nearby, became the iconic image of the 1976 Soweto Uprising — one that made its way around the world and highlighted the brutalities of the Apartheid regime to many people within and outside South Africa. If Youth Day falls on a Sunday, a public holiday will be observed on the following Monday. And with it came a much more massive uprising around the country and world. Celebration\ Observance. The challenge now is to assist young people with information and resources to realise that dream, and reap the rewards that the youth of 1976 fought and died for.”. The development of the youth is central to the transformation of this country and the enhancement of the lives of all South Africans. Commemorated over 30 years later as Youth Day, an official holiday, it is the day that honours the deaths of hundreds of Soweto schoolchildren, a day that changed the course of the country’s history: 16 June 1976. Youth Day on 16 June is a public holiday in South Africa and commemorates a protest which resulted in a wave of protests across the country known as the Soweto uprising of 1976. It falls on June 16. “We need to come out of a mindset where we as youth wait for the government to do things for us.