This day signifies a very sad time in our country's past. It stands as a painful reminder of the courage displayed by students who stood against the apartheid government by taking part in a rally to protest against the introduction of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction.

The picture above has forever been immortalised as a chilling, heartfelt admonition of what this repressive, morally deprived regime was prepared to carry out in the advancement of its agenda.

The iconic image was captured by Sam Nzima’s Pentax camera on 16 June 1976, depicting 13 year-old Hector Pieterson being carried away after sustaining a fatal bullet wound from nearby police officers. It later became a symbol for the uprising.

• 15 000 uniformed pupils were there. The plan, to move to the Orlando Stadium, actioning against studying in Afrikaans.
• The number of people who died is usually given as 176 with some estimates up to 700
• The day is more commonly referred to as the “Soweto Uprising”.
• This year marks the 42nd anniversary of the Soweto Uprising.
• The association of Afrikaans with apartheid prompted black South Africans to prefer English

Wondering how to commemorate this significant day in the Mother City? Take a look at the best events and activities near you!

Events & Activities

We've put together a list of the top events and activities taking place this Youth Day. Take your pick.

TrailFun : Miles for Smiles

Its not about the money. Its not about the run. Its about the life you are going to change - forever.

Join Trail Fun on Youth Day, 16 June 2019 for a fun filled run on Melkbos Beach. Its an easy 5km in a perfect setting. The goal is to pay for 10 Facial Reconstructions (10 x R 5 500) so that is where your entry fee goes.

Great 1st, 2nd, 3rd prizes in each category, Custom Medals to all finishers and awesome free buff for all who enter online. Timing by Timing.Mobi so you get your medical aid points. Action photos by Justasurferdude so you get the perfect memory.

Cape Aqua are giving every finisher a bottle of Hydr8 at the finish, man it tastes good. Friendly dogs are welcome, but their owners must be on a leash and carrying poopie bags. Don't miss out on our fun family vibe, excellent lucky draw prizes and change a life forever.

• Cost:
  • R70 - Casual Entry
  • R1 500 - Corporates are for a team of 20 (max)
• When: 16 June, 9am - 12pm
• Address: NSRI Station 18, Beach Rd opposite 6th Avenue, Melkbosstrand
• More Info: TrailFun : Miles for Smiles

Take a trip to Robben Island

Many ANC stalwarts who fought tirelessly against the apartheid regime found themselves exiled to Robben Island where they were forced into acts of manual labour.

One of the island's most iconic prisoners was the revolutionary Nelson Rohihlahla Mandela - who was confined to a small cell for 18 years, using the cold floor as a bed and nothing besides a metal bucket as a toilet.

Catch a ferry at the Waterfront and learn more on the history of struggle, including a tour of Mr Mandela’s cell along with prisoners daily routines.

• Tour Cost:
  • R360 - Adult
  • R200 - Children u18 years
• Operating Hours: 9am - 1pm
• Address: V&A Waterfront, Robben Island Museum
• More info:
  • Robben Island Tours - Website

Iziko Museum & Slave Lodge

The Iziko Museums form a collection of museums found all over Cape Town, some of which are the South African Museum, the Planetarium, and the Slave Lodge.

These are all great places to spend your time this Youth Day, all of them are soaked in heritage and rich in our history, however - we encourage you to check out the Slave Lodge.

This museum explores the long history of slavery in South Africa, under the umbrella theme of “from human wrongs to human rights”.

• Museum Cost:
  • R30 - Adults
  • R15 - Children Ages 6-17 years
  • R5 - Children u5 years
• Operating Hours:
  • Mon-Sat, 9am - 5pm
• Contact Number: (021) 481 3800
• Address: 25 Queen Victoria St, Cape Town
• More Info:
  • Iziko Museum Collection and Planetarium - Website

District Six Museum

This museum serves to help us understand the dark times they went through, and keep their stories alive. Many of the staff at the Museum are also ex-residents of District Six, with their own painful memories to share.

• Entrance Fee:
  • R45 - pp (self-guided)
  • R60 - pp (with guide/ex-resident)
  • FREE - Pensioners displaced during apartheid
• Operating Hours:
  • Mon-Sat, 9am-4pm
  • Sunday by appointment only
• Address: 25A Albertus St & Buitenkant St, Zonnebloem
• Contact Number: +27 (0)21 466 7200
• More Info:
  • District 6 Museum - Website.

The City of Gold has got some special events up its sleeve this Youth Day. Make sure you make this day a memorable one.

Events & Activities

Take your pick of events and activities happening this Youth Day in Joburg.

June 16 Food Market

Vilakazi Street will be abuzz as food and art lovers alike, artisans and entrepreneurs descend upon the annual Box Shop June 16 Food Market on Youth Day. With the powerful backing by American Express, The Box Shop June 16 Food Market will be celebrating its second year of the partnership.

The food market will feature 22 stalls operated by young entrepreneurs. Out of the 22 stalls,12 will be dedicated to food from African-inspired traditional cuisines, hot authentic beverages, a display and showcase of local wines and ready to eat products. The remaining 10 stalls will be dedicated to fashion, accessories and jewellery products.

American Express will set up all 22 suppliers with Pocket Point-of-Sale (POS) devices at no cost to enable the youth-owned SMEs to transact with ease.

The Box Shop is sure to be the flavour of the day, with a full line up of activities, live music, performances and art installations. Under the theme Uprising, this year’s event is set to recognise and celebrate “youth heroes who were remembered but never celebrated,” says Sifiso Moyo, co-founder of The Box Shop.

The establishment will be partnering with Mbuyisa Makhubo’s family and the June 16 Foundation to commemorate Mbuyisa Makhubu’s  display of heroism and bravery on that fateful day when he carried 13-year-old Hector Peterson who had been shot by police.

The day will be dedicated to the fallen heroes of June 16 with a Hero’s Walk followed by the unveiling of never seen before Mbuyisa Makhubo archived images and apparel, to preserve his memory. Also, on the day’s line up is a knowledge sharing panel discussion seeking to up-skill young entrepreneurs on the reality of being an entrepreneur in South Africa. Vilakazi Street will transform into an epitome of youth culture, showcasing the entrepreneurial and creative spirit of a youth that is continuously on the rise.

• Entrance Fee: FREE
• When: 16 June, 8am - Midnight
• Address: Vilakazi St, Soweto
• More Info: June 16 Food Market

Johannesburg Red City Tour and Soweto Combo

The Johannesburg Red City Tour and Soweto Combo will start with a Red City Tour Bus then Hop on a red minibus taxi for a unique trip to Soweto. No visit to the city of Johannesburg is complete without a trip into its largest and most vibrant township, Soweto.

• Entrance Fee:
  • Price varies depending on package, have a look below;
  • Package and Price info
• Operating Hours:
  • Mon-Sun, 08:30am - 5pm
• Contact Number: 086 173 3287
• Address: Oxford Road, Rosebank, Johannesburg

The Hector Pieterson Museum

The Hector Pieterson Museum is in Orlando West, Soweto. It commemorates the role of the country’s students in the struggle against apartheid and particularly the role played by the school children who took part in the Soweto Uprising of 1976.

The museum was named after one of the students protesting against the sub-standard level of education in black schools was shot by the apartheid police. The student was the 12 year-old Hector Pieterson.

The iconic photograph of Pieterson’s body being carried by a fellow student, his sister running alongside them, has become a powerful symbol of the senseless cruelty, brutality and repression experienced under the Apartheid regime.

• Entrance Fee:
  • R30 - Adults
  • R10 - Pensioners / Students
  • R5 - Children Ages 6 - 12 years
• Operating Hours:
  • Mon-Sat, 10am - 5pm
• Contact Number: 011 536 0611
• Address: 8287 Khumalo Rd, Johannesburg
• More Info:
  • Hector Pieterson Museum - Website

The Apartheid Museum

The Apartheid museum tells the story of 20th century South Africa with 22 exhibitions by historians, filmmakers and designers detailing the heart-breaking stories and events of the Apartheid era.

(Apartheid — meaning “separation” – was the government-sanctioned segregation of the population by race that lasted for around 40 years.)

The construction of the museum was funded by Gold Reef City and its design is a wonderful example of modern South African architecture. Visitors usually visit for about 2 hours.

• Entrance Fee:
  • R100 - Adult
  • R85 - Scholars
  • R50 - Teachers
• Operating Hours:
  • Mon-Sun, 9am - 5pm
• Contact Number: 011 309 4700
• Address: Gold Reef Rd, Johannesburg
• More Info:
  • Apartheid Museum - Website

Constitution Hill

Constitution Hill gives you an insight into the evolution of human rights in South Africa. It is home to disused men’s and women’s prisons, an old fort and the Constitutional Court of South Africa.

The Constitutional Court is the highest court in South Africa and protects the human rights of all citizens.

You can choose from a variety of tours and experiences such as the highlights tour, art and justice tour or even a night tour.

Tip: If you visit as part of a City Sightseeing Red Bus tour, you are eligible for a discount on your entrance ticket!

• Entrance Fee:
  • R30 to R300 (depending on tour)
• Operating Hours:
  • Mon-Sun, 9am - 5pm
• Contact Number: 011 381 3100
• Address: 11 Kotze Road, Johannesburg
• More Info:
  • Constitution Hill - Website

Vilikazi Street Soweto (Nelson Mandela’s House)

This is arguably the most famous street in Soweto and possibly even the country. Home to two of South Africa’s most iconic figures, Archbishop Emeritus Tutu & struggle hero, Nelson Mandela.

The Archbishop still resides at this home and is sometimes seen strolling around the street engaging with resident members in the area.

• Entrance Fee:
  • Adult - R60
  • Kids - R20
• Operating Hours:
  • Mon-Sun, 9am - 5pm
• Contact Number: 011 936 7754
• Address: 115 Vilakazi St & Ngakane St, Orlando West, Johannesburg, 1804

Pretoria is a hub of culture and history that is sure to make this Youth Day one to remember!

Events & Activities

Take a look at the best way to spend Youth Day in Pretoria this year.

The National Cultural Museum

The National Cultural Museum is one of South Africa’s most comprehensive documentations of the life of South Africans from the early Stone Age up until today.

During the museum's relocation from the former Market Square, it merged with the Transvaal Museum which later became independent again only to merge with the South African National Museum of History.

Each Museum is operated independently, but managed by the same board.Housing famous displays such as the San Art Exhibition and the Marabastad Exhibit, the National Cultural Museum is a must visit.

• Entrance Fee:
  • R20 / R35pp
• Operating Hours:
  • Mon-Sun, 8am - 4pm
• Contact Number: 021 324 6082
• Address: 149 Visagie Street, Pretoria
• More Info:
  • The National Cultural Museum - Website

Union Buildings

The Union Buildings are central to South African history and now represent the change the country endured.

Besides being a governmentally significant building, it is alive with culture, housing many museums, monuments and theaters.

• Entrance Fee:
  • Free
• Operating Hours:
  • Open 24 hours
• Contact Number: 012 300 5200
• Address: Government Ave, Pretoria
• More Info:
  • Union Buildings - Website

Durban is home to more than beautiful beaches and warm waters. Dive into a cultural experience this Youth Day.

Events & Activities

Take a look at some of the top events and activities happening in Durban this Youth Day. We'll be updating this list as the events come in, so stay tuned.

Old Court Museum

The Old Court Museum is full of stories. It has witnessed the Anglo-Zulu Wars and the Bambatha Rebellion. It served as a general canteen and recruitment centre during the Wars.

The museum features several collections, including:

• A miniature car display
• A costume room featuring fashions from the early 20s
• Decor and Art Nouveau pieces

An interactive touch screen display shows visitors Durban’s history through the eyes of great people who lived during this period.

• Operating Hours:
  • Mon-Sat, 8:30am-4pm
• Entrance Fee: Free
• Contact Number: (031) 311 2229
• Address: 77 Aliwal Street, Durban
• More Info:
  • Old Court Museum - Website

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