13. Day 6 (Aug 22): Soweto: Hector Pieterson Memorial

Time for another South Africa history lesson — about Hector Pieterson.  Many of you have seen the famous photograph involving this 13-year-old boy dying in the arms of a stranger during a demonstration.  There was a picture of the photograph in the restaurant where we ate lunch.

Hector Pieterson Dying Photograph

This picture is further described later in this post.

And just up Vilakazi Street on the same side as the restaurant is the Phefeni Junior Secondary School, where our story takes place.  

Phefeni Junior Secondary School

Until the mid-1970s, most instruction in all black schools took place in one or more of the native languages.  Afrikaans, in particular, was detested and described by Desmond Tutu as “the language of the oppressor.”  In 1974, the South African government mandated all instruction in all black schools to be split 50-50 between Afrikaans and English.

In May of 1976 students in Phefeni School began a boycott of classes in protest of this policy.  A large demonstration was planned for June 16, 1976, involving many students from other schools.  To get to the demonstration, they passed in front of Phefeni School, and nearby the police opened fire and killed a number of students, including 13-year-old Hector Pieterson.  In the photo, Pieterson is carried by 18-year-old student Mbuyisa Makhubo.  The girl in the picture is Hector’s 17-year-old sister, Antoinette.  The photo became an important icon in the anti-apartheid struggle.

Makhubo fled South Africa because of harassment by the government after the photo became famous.  He was apparently heard from in Nigeria in 1978 but then disappeared again and has never been found.  All together at least 176 people were killed in what is known as the Soweto Uprising with some estimates running as high as 700.  The government claimed “only” 23 students were killed that day.  June 16 is now celebrated as National Youth Day in South Africa.

Near the school, off of Vilakazi Street, is a large memorial to Pieterson as well as a museum.  At one time Hector’s sister served as a guide in the museum.

Hector Pieterson Memorial - Soweto

Hector Pieterson Memorial - Soweto

It is very moving, especially when you see the photo right there in the memorial.  Many people died in the apartheid struggle, including many of Hector’s age.  But the power of the photograph made that death an important part of the struggle that ultimately ended apartheid.

And where better from here but to the Apartheid Museum.

Link to Full Resolution Photos