The June 16, 1976, Uprising that began in Soweto and spread across the nation profoundly changed the socio-political landscape in South Africa.
When the language of Afrikaans alongside English was made compulsory as a medium of instruction in schools in 1974, black students began mobilizing.
On the morning of 16 June 1976 between 3000 and 10 000 students mobilized by the South African Students Movement’s Action Committee supported by the BCM marched peacefully to demonstrate and protest against the government’s directive. The march was meant to culminate at a rally in Orlando Stadium.
They were confronted by heavily armed police who fired teargas and later live ammunition on demonstrating students. This sparked a widespread revolt that morphed into an uprising against the government. While the uprising began in Soweto, it spread across the country and carried on until the following year.
The aftermath of the events of June 16 1976
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