Politics and Society

Social media reflections on Youth Day: What does the day mean?

As South Africa celebrates Youth Day in commemoration of the 40th anniversary of the June 16, 1976 Soweto Uprising when students protested against the racist and unjust bantu education system, we ask what the day means to you? We look at contributions on social media to understand what the day means to South Africans as they reflect on the sacrifices made, take stock of the current state of affairs and hopes for the future.

Published

7 years ago

June 16, 2016

This Is Africa

Youth day remains one of the most important public holidays on South Africa’s calendar. On this day in 1976, unarmed student took to the streets of Soweto to peacefully protest against the racist and unjust bantu education system. The defenceless students were ruthlessly shot at by the Apartheid police and many lost their lives.

As the country commemorates the bravery and selflessness of the young people who sacrificed their lives in South Africa’s liberation struggle, we ask our readers what the day mean for them. We also ask our readers to evaluate the progress which has been made to construct a prosperous, safe, free, just and equitable society.

While there is tangible progress which has been made, key issues such as poverty, corruption, crime, access to quality and affordable education, land, high unemployment amongst other pressing matters remain a challenge. We take a look at some of the messages on social media celebrating the day but also highlighting the challenges the country faces.

Education.

#40Years #16June1976 #YouthDay today we have to remember what the #Youth76 did in order for us to have Education in a language we understand
— Bongane Mthembu (@Mthembu_Bongane) June 16, 2016

https://twitter.com/Seabelomodibedi/status/743354328677683200

Oppression: Reflecting on the unjust and oppressive Apartheid regime.

#16June1976 This is where the SA youth said we've had enough of the oppression & fought hard against the oppressors to get us where we at rn
— Bruno Khanyile-Domingos (@BrunoKhanyile) June 16, 2016

#June16 They remind us of 20 years of democracy but forget 300 years of oppression? Really? pic.twitter.com/4QZ6xKCHqK
— MNM (@Diaryofazulugal) June 15, 2016

Celebrating freedom.

As we celebrate an important holiday let us give thought to the selfless freedom fighters of #16June1976 ~Let us remember why it's #YouthDay
— CATHERINE CONSTANTINIDES (@ChangeAgentSA) June 16, 2016

Today we honour the selfless freedom fighters of #16June1976 who refused to be silenced & we learn how Youth is taking SA forward. #YouthDay
— Dep. Sport & Rec (@SPORTandREC_RSA) June 16, 2016

My mother was 10 years old on #16June1976 she was a student and ran around in order for me to have freedom #YouthOf76 #YouthDay #ThankYou76
— Bongane Mthembu (@Mthembu_Bongane) June 16, 2016
Advertisement

Provide economic freedom to the people of SA, and fight corruption #June16
— Legend JJ (@jjosephnkosi1) June 16, 2016

Respecting struggle heroes. Remembering the young people who sacrificed their lives during the struggle for freedom.

Humbling to see Hastings Ndlovu get recognition in the history of #16June1976. He was shot in the head & killed alongside Hector Pieterson
— Sphelele (@SpheDludla) June 16, 2016
Advertisement

Our selection of messages which highlight the prevailing challenges on access to quality and affordable education and corruption

https://twitter.com/GateInv/status/743339340609163265

40yrs ago this day the black kids of south africa fought for education n still to this day education is still a big problm #DearClassof76
— alinah ngubeni (@alinah_ngubeni) June 16, 2016