President Thabo Mbeki uses the anniversary of the Soweto Uprising to address the challenges that face this generation of South Africans.
June 16th, 2006 marked the 30th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising. Led by their president, Thabo Mbeki, hundreds of South Africans marched to salute those who gave their lives protesting apartheid.
The black youth of 1976 were facing dismal education and employment prospects. When the Deputy Minister of Bantu Education insisted that Africans be taught in Afrikaans, the language of their white oppressors, students organized themselves to address the racial inequality. When police opened fire on the estimated 15,000 who turned up to march, a day of demonstrations turned into eight days of rioting. During this time, 176 rioters were shot dead and thousands were injured.
It wasn't until 1994 before South Africa would finally see its first all-race elections. A good portion of this generation, who believed in a "liberation before education" ideal, were unable to take advantage of the opportunities that they had finally won. According to Associated Press reports, unemployment in South Africa is close to 40 percent while many skilled positions remain unfilled.
After Friday's march, Mbeki addressed tens of thousands who gathered in a Soweto soccer stadium. While he used this to day honour those who contributed to bringing an end to apartheid, according to AP, he also took advantage of the occasion to encourage the present generation of South Africans to rise up against new challenges.
"We would like the youth gathered here today and their comrades throughout our country to follow their example of unwavering commitment as they confront the modern day challenges of poverty and unemployment, alcohol and drug abuse, AIDS and other diseases, illiteracy, woman and child abuse, and other problems."
