16 June Youth Day.

15 Jun, 2006

On 16 June South Africa marks the so-called Soweto uprising in 1976, when students in the Soweto township near Johannesburg took to the streets against a law obliging them to study in Afrikaans. The protest, which quickly spread to other townships across the country and resulted in hundreds of deaths, signalled a milestone in the fight against apartheid.

In Cape Town the anniversary is being marked with a panel discussion hosted by city mayor Helen Zille on mobilising youth to tackle unemployment and poverty. Some 650 young people aged 14-34 are expected to attend the event, which will see participation from a 16 June 1976 survivor, Nontando Nolutshungu. Main Hall, Good Hope Centre, Sir Lowry Road, Cape Town, 11.00.