HUB Exclusive - A tribute to the South African youths of 1976 and beyond for standing for something

Youth is the time to define who you are as an individual and it is important to stand for something in order not to fall for everything. Today's post is a special tribute to the youths who against all odds take a stand against injustice just like the South African youths of 1976. Enjoy!

Stand for Something or Fall For everything – Your Choice

                                       

On the morning of 16 June 1976, between 10,000 and 20,000 black students walked from their schools to Orlando Stadium for a rally to protest against having to learn through Afrikaans in school.  Many students who later participated in the protest arrived at school that morning without prior knowledge of the protest, yet agreed to become involved. The protest was planned by the Soweto Students' Representative Council's (SSRC) Action Committee, with support from the wider Black Consciousness Movement.

 

I remember reading about this for the first time, how moved I was by this act of bravery. As a Nigerian child growing up in Nigeria, I had heard vague stories about South Africa and their history. However, living and studying in South Africa has exposed me more to the history of the great rainbow nation. Based on this exposure, I imagined what would have given those young people such courage. I thought about what would have driven them to take such actions. I mean, we are talking about young people as young as 13 years old here. Clearly those youths would have needed so much courage to be able to stand up to the apartheid government at the time. Surely, they must have heard from their parents or even saw it in the news how many people were dying every day and being thrown in prison just for being black, talk more of opposing the apartheid government but they were not deterred by this.

The driving force behind their courage would have been their desire for change, motivated by their inability to continue enduring the unjust condition in which they found themselves. They embraced who they were and stood for something with a clear refusal to fall for anything. Their courage is worthy of emulation by all the youths of today, especially African youths. As youths of Africa, we have to stand for something, demand for our rights because they cannot be handed to us on a platter. We have to fight for what we believe in and effect change in everywhere possible. The starting point has to be through self-development. It is true that employment is scare in Africa but ideas abound. We have to use every opportunity that we have to better ourselves by obtaining the right knowledge that will help develop our ideas and help us grow as youths. With the right knowledge and attitude we can attain greater heights and move both ourselves and Africa forward. There is no need for us to sit somewhere and complain about the terrible situation we are in. If you don’t like where you are, only you can change it. Just like the South African youths of 1976 who were not afraid of dying for what they believed in and knew that they had to take their stand against injustice, you got to stand for something as well and know that as a youth, you are the future and leader of tomorrow.

I salute you the South African youths of 1976 and beyond with special reference to the late Hector Pieterson. Together we can make a difference in our lives and that of others. More Amandla!!

Remain happy and spread happiness around. xoxo