June 16 Route

The significance of the 16 June Trail and the sites lies in their historical associations to the pivotal events of the Soweto Youth Uprisings. Inspired by the black consciousness movement, incensed by the compulsory use of Afrikaans as a medium of tuition and frustrated by the apathy of their parents, thousands of students took the streets to protest against the Bantu Education System and to voice their political frustrations at the government’s attempt.  The Soweto Uprisings become a pivotal moment in the history of the Struggle 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 a month hundreds of communities were involved in protests against the government, including schools in Langa, Nyanga and Gugulethu. The unrest last for over year and left hundreds dead. The increased impatience of the students resulted in the continued instability of the country until the unbanning of all Liberation Movements in February 1990. Many students were forced into exile where they joined the ranks of umKhonto we Sizwe (MK) and the Azanian People’s Liberation Army (APLA). The increased bombings after the Youth Uprisings were carried out by members of the MK June 16 Detachment.