bantu education

The morning of 16 June 1976, a day that changed the course of South Africa’s history, to protest against apartheid and its “Bantu education”...

Besides the late Nelson Mandela, many other South Africans have stood up for human rights. Among their names, we can count people like Desmond Tutu and Miriam Makeba. They have all devoted their time and talents to improving the lives of all people.

Apartheid laws were designed to segregate South Africa’s population in terms of race. The majority suffered discrimination in terms of education, economic rights, social standing, and eventually even citizenship. Today, the Bill of Rights enshrines many rights denied in the past.

It is a day violently etched on the South African collective conscience. Commemorated over 30 years later as Youth Day, an official holiday, it is the day that honours the deaths of hundreds of Soweto schoolchildren, a day that changed the course of the country's history: 16 June 1976.

Sir Stuart Ntlathi developed a microwave-griller combo from recycled appliances when he was just 13 years old. Today he runs the Stuart Ntlathi Science, Engineering & Technology Institute, aiming to put the fun back in science to inspire South African children to follow science-based careers.

Sir Stuart Ntlathi developed a microwave-griller combo from recycled appliances when he was just 13 years old. Today he runs the Stuart Ntlathi Science, Engineering & Technology Institute, aiming to put the fun back in science to inspire South African children to follow science-based careers.

For South Africa to move forward, it is important to acknowledge that the legacy of apartheid is the cause of the structural challenges that the country is now facing, President Jacob Zuma told a business briefing in Cape Town on Friday.

High school dropout rates were first on the agenda at the Brand South Africa Soweto Dialogues on education, with residents and education experts tackling how to reduce the number of children leaving school early. 

A memorial and a youth centre with a difference are being built near the school in Soweto where students set off on the morning of 16 June 1976, a day that changed the course of South Africa's history, to protest against apartheid and its "Bantu education" system.

Ahead of Youth Month 2012, veteran photojournalist Sam Nzima tells young South Africans to assume the strength and courage of their predecessors.
• Playing a part to give youth a future