The significance of the 16 June Trail and the sites lies in their historical associations to thepivotal events of the Soweto Youth Uprisings. Inspired by the black consciousnessmovement, incensed by the compulsory use of Afrikaans as a medium of tuition andfrustrated by the apathy of their parents, thousands of students took the streets to protestagainst the Bantu Education System and to voice their political frustrations at thegovernment’s attempt. The Soweto Uprisings become a pivotal moment in the history of theStruggle against Apartheid which led to months of rioting and protests across the country.The anger and horror of the police shootings spread rapidly across the country and within amonth hundreds of communities were involved in protests against the government, includingschools in Langa, Nyanga and Gugulethu. The unrest lasted for over a year and left manydead. The increased impatience of the students resulted in the continued instability of thecountry until the unbanning of all Liberation Movements in February 1990. Many studentswere forced into exile where they joined the ranks of umKhonto we Sizwe (MK) and theAzanian People’s Liberation Army (APLA). The increased bombings after the YouthUprisings were carried out by members of the MK June 16 Detachment.
