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Reflections on Youth Day: 'Born Free' journalists share their hopes for South Africa's future
Students march in Soweto on June 16, 1976, setting off a brutal response from the apartheid government.
Image: Independent Newspapers Archives
Kamogelo Makhura
A historic and meaningful day is ahead of us: June 16th, this day is celebrated annually to remember the Soweto Uprising march when the youth of 1976 fought for equality, justice and freedom against the bantu education system.
This day is not only about celebrating the youth of South Africa but remembering the struggles that were endured by black learners who took on the apartheid regime.
This year marks 49 years since the Soweto Uprising.
Image: File
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As a former history student, learning about the meaning behind this public holiday would always leave me with mixed feelings. Every chapter, every paragraph and sentence reading and learning about police brutality, the lives lost and the protests that occurred all because the voices of the youth in our country fell on deaf ears.
What does June 16 mean to me?
Now, as we approach the 49th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising, this holiday reminds me of the struggles that our grandparents and great grandparents faced and fought for. I am constantly reminded annually that I have a voice, more especially as a black woman in South Africa. I had the privilege to go to school and get not only free education, but be taught in an environment that caters to the needs of learners.
What happened on June 16 opened doors for so many young people in South Africa, including myself. This day means a lot to me because I was able to receive an education up until I got to varsity and graduated with a degree.
My wish and hope for the future of the South African youth is to find alternative ways to combat drug and alcohol abuse, combat unemployment and create equal opportunities for young people. The fight for the young people in this country is not over as we still have occurring issues everyday but I hope that one day, South Africa will become a better place for even future generations.
Kamogelo Makhura is a Lifestyle and entertainment writer for Independent Media's Leisure Hub. She was born 20 years after the Soweto Uprising.
Kamogelo Makhura is a lifestyle and entertainment writer for Independent Media's Leisure Hub.
Image: File
Nomathamsanqa Sithathu
As a millennial born in 1996, June 16 is a holiday that embodies both somber reflection and prideful celebration for me. It is a painful reminder of the struggles faced by the South African youth that came before us, yet a testament to their bravery in fighting for their rights.
The students of 1976 took to the streets of Soweto, protesting against the imposition of Afrikaans as the main language in black schools when it was still considered the language of the oppressor.
They were met with brutal force and many lost their lives fighting to have their voices heard. Hector Pieterson, who died in the arms of his friend Mbuyisa Makhubo after being shot by the police, is carved into our collective memory.
But amid the tragedy, I find pride in knowing that their sacrifices paved the way for us to have a voice today. They fought for our right to choose, to decide and to be heard. Today, we can choose to not learn in Afrikaans but in our mother tongues, it is no longer an imposed decision.
The youth of 2025 are facing several challenges, from high employent rates to substance abuse.
Image: File
As I reflect on June 16, I am filled with hope and promise for today's youth. My wish is for us to be taken seriously, for our voices to be heard and for the promises made to us by the government to be fulfilled.
I yearn for the youth unemployment rate to drop drastically, for students to have access to proper facilities and for them to thrive in life.
I hope students who cannot afford university to fairly be afforded the opportunity to pursue higher education, receive the aid they deserve, and unlock their full potential.
The youth are the key to a brighter future for South Africa. When they are empowered, heard and given opportunities to succeed, they can take this country to greater heights.
As we commemorate June 16, l choose to honour the sacrifices of the past while working towards a better tomorrow. I choose to ensure that the voices of today's youth are not only heard but also acted upon.
* Nomathamsanqa Sithathu is a lifestyle and entertainment writer for Independent Media's Leisure Hub. She was born 20 years after the Soweto Uprising.
