USA: Imbizo Host Committee & Sahara T.V. to Honor Soweto …..
….. Uprising Heroes in New York – By Dennis Kabatto – June 16, known as the Soweto Uprising is notorious in the annals of South African history as key to ending apartheid.
The protest on June 16, 1976 by thousands of South African students in Soweto township for better education and against the enforcement of a law mandating Afrikaans as the language of school instruction was supposed to be peaceful.
June 16, 1976 Student uprising in Soweto
However, it escalated to the most brutal and violent riots that took place against the apartheid administration after police opened fire killing at least 23 students.
June 16, is now Youth Day, an official public holiday celebrated every year in South Africa to recognize the role played by youths in the liberation struggle against the former apartheid regime.
On Friday, June 14 The Imbizo Host Committee, a group of Diaspora South Africans in New York and Sahara T.V. will host a Panel discussion and Reception in Manhattan to honor South Africa’s heroes of June 16, 1976
According to organizers, the event will also honor friends of South Africa who showed courage in the front lines against oppression and community leaders who fought for a free democratic South Africa.
“It is necessary to commemorate June 16th, 1976 because it is without a doubt one of the most important days of our lives in South Africa. It is a day that helped to change the face of South African politics as well as the view of the world about South Africa,” said Sduduzo Ka-Mbili, a member of IHC Executive Planning Committee.
Ka-Mbili said remembering those who preceded his generation are very important, noting that they would not have existed if it was not for them, “it’s like ancestral remembrance or worship to us, as it is our responsibility to keep their names alive.”
Yoliswa Cele Luthuli, an US-Africa Ambassador at US-Africa Synergy Inc., and executive member at IHC says she feels a great sense of pride in South Africa’s history of resilience and triumph and she has always find the Soweto youth uprising to be incredibly inspiring.
As a “born free” (a term used to describe South Africans who were born towards the end of apartheid), Luthuli acknowledged that she feels a “great obligation to not simply ride the wave of the legacy left behind by the freedom fighters but to carry on the push for the completion of the dream. Whenever, I begin to get down on the various issues that plagued South Africa today I think of Soweto 1976 and it always pushes me to take my role as a South African citizen in contribution to change and progress of the nation.”
It is more likely a segment would be set aside Friday for a special tribute and prayers for South Africa’s first elected black president Nelson Mandela (or Madiba as he is widely referred to).
Wednesday was the 49th anniversary Mandela was charged and sentenced to life in prison in 1964 by the apartheid regime and released in 1990.
Mandela has been in intensive care since Saturday, June 8 for lung problems he obtained while working at a prison quarry.
As the honor ceremony gets closer, Lisa Vives, Executive Director at Global Information Network and co-organizer of the Panel discussion is gravely concerned of what will life be without Madiba, and who will protect the poor folks?
“They are barely getting by now. Fortunately, a people’s movement is rising in South Africa (miners and other public employees are demanding more pay, more benefits), in Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Mozambique and many other places on the continent and in the world. It is a contagious state of affairs and the demands are the same – equity in income and benefits, a fair share of the national patrimony, open – not secretive – government, no more corruption,” she went on.
Friday’s program will feature an Award presentation, performance by renowned South African singer Tuelo Minah and Traditional Song performance.
For reservation, email: imbizohostcommittee@gmail.com
