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Soweto

I chose to speak about the riots of Soweto because it is important to speak about this event to show the horror which South Africans have suffered from.

Soweto is a suburb of Johannesburg.These riots began on June 16th, 1976 and were led by black pupils.Their support was the movement of "Black Consciousness".

We count around 20,000 students who demonstrated for their rights against a bloody police violence.We count approximately 600 dead students.

According to me it is very tragic that students who left studying died this morning. As I am a student I think it is necessary to speak about it. It is important to never to forget these events.

Hector Pieterson

This photo represents Hector Pieterson, a young black pupil who died on June 16th during the riots of Soweto. He was only 12 years old when he demonstrated against a law which obliged students to learn and to speak Afrikaans. Hector Pieterson is in the arms of Mbuyisa Makhubo who was also a schoolboy. Next to him we can see his sister. These students fought actively against apartheid. 

This photo is as upset as the events. This photo will be the symbol of the repression against the black population organized by the South African government.

Moreover there is a museum in memory of this young man, the Hector Pieterson museum, inaugurated by Nelson Mandela on June 16th, 2002. This museum is situated near the place where the young man died to Soweto, In Orlando's district.

Hector Pieterson's real name was Pitso, his family had to change name by hoping to obtain a coloured pass. Once again Black families had to adapt themselves.

We can also see this photo of the district of Soweto in 1976 during the riots :