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The South African Students Movement (SASM)
One of the first organisations of black high school students form The South African Students Movement who would go on to play an important role in the 1976 uprising. -
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June 16 Soweto uprising Timeline
A look back in history around the Soweto Youth Uprising. This timeline displays a year before June 16 and the year after. All information can be found on sahistory.org
More info can be found by clicking this link http://www.sahistory.org.za/1900s/1970s -
Meadowlands Tswana School Board meets with the Bantu Education Department
Meadowlands Tswana School Board met with a local inspector of the Bantu Education Department to discuss the conflict that has been escalating in Soweto schools since the beginning of the year. -
First appearance of protest
The first indications of protest over schooling in Afrikaans appears in Soweto schools. -
The Black People's Convention
The South African Students Organisation and the South African Students Movement become active in Soweto schools over the issue of schooling in Afrikaans. -
Orlando West Juniour goes on strike
Pupils from Orlando West Juniour Schools take a stand and go on strike against the use of Afrikaans in education. -
Phefeni Secondary school pupils boycotts classes
Pupils from Phefeni Secondary School boycott classes in anger against the use of Afrikaans in education. Soon, Belle Higher Primary School, Thulasizwe Higher Primary School, and Emthonjeni Khulo Ngolawazi Higher Primary School join in on the unrest. -
A campaign against the use of Afrikaans in education
Pupils refuse to return to school after a call from the Orlando Diepkloof School board. The strike gathers momentum and spreads to Pimville Higher Primary School. An attempt is made by the SA Students Movement to consolidate the situation and holds a conference in Roodepoort to discuss a campaign against the use of Afrikaans as a form of instruction. -
Pupils stone and burn security vehicle
The leader of the SA Students Movement is arrested by security police at Naledi High School. Pupils stone the police and their car. -
Deputy minister of "Bantu education" rejects application
The deputy minister of "Bantu education", Andries Treumicht, rejects the applications by five Soweto schools to depart from the 50-50 policy that details equal use of English and Afrikaans in schooling. -
SA Students Movement holds a meeting
The SA Students Movement holds a meeting which is attended by representatives of all Soweto schools. This is the day on which the protests of June 16 is decided. -
June 16 protest
Tens of thousands of high school students took to the streets to protest against compulsory use of Afrikaans at schools. Police opened fire on marching students, killing thirteen-year old Hector Pieterson and at least three others. This began an uprising that spread to other parts of the country leaving over 1,000 dead, most of whom were killed by the police. -
Protesting continues
Fires rage in townships throughout the country on the second day of protesting. Pupils stone cars passing through Soweto. Police shoot at random, and at anyone who raises a fist and shouts "power". -
Resignation of the Minister of Bantu Affairs
At the request of the leader of the opposition, Cohn Eglin, a meeting is held to call for the resignation of the Minister of Bantu Affairs, Andries Treurnicht. -
Violence slowly diminishes
The violence between pupils and police slowly diminishes. A general stayaway is organised. There are reports of pupils seizing weapons from the police and using them to shoot back at the police. -
123 persons banned
The Government Gazette announces that 123 persons have been banned for their involvement as a result of the June 16 revolt. -
Principal's office burnt out
The Principal's office in Hlangisi Primary was burnt out and the following day the same riot squad threatened officials at the Bantu administration. -
Death results to 174
The death tolls in the protests is officially given as 174 blacks and two whites, the number of wounded 1,222 blacks and six whites, the number of persons arrested 1,298. -
Teaching in Afrikaans
The government announces that teaching in Afrikaans in black schools will no longer be compulsory. The regulation that African pupils be instructed equally in English and Afrikaans was annulled. -
Closure of schools in townships
The closure of schools in black townships is rescinded by the Minister for Police, Justice and Prisons. -
UWC students boycott classes
UWC students convene a meeting to express solidarity with the students of Soweto and decide to embark on a boycott of classes. -
Riots erupt in Soweto
Riots erupt again in Soweto and spread to other townships in South Africa. The Minister of Justice again bans public meetings under the Riotous Assemblies Act, until the end of August. -
Hewat Training College set alight
The Hewat Training College in Athlone is set alight in solidarity with the UWC boycotters -
A new deal for urban blacks
A new deal for urban blacks is announced in Pretoria by the Minister of Bantu Administration and by the Minister of Justice and Police. -
Students arrested
August, Violence spreads to Cape Town,to the black townships of Langa, Nyanga and Guguletu and then, for the first time, to Coloured townships. UCT students march towards the city centre giving the Black Power Salute to black people passing until the police stop them. 73 students were arrested. A number of student leaders at the University of the Western Cape and other community leaders are arrested and detained at Victor Verster prison, near Paarl. -
600 coloured students march from the Bellville Training College
In Bellville, 600 coloured students march from the Bellville Training College and clash with police whilst in UWC a poster parade is broken by police. Poster bearers are arrested because of messages such as: “Sorry Soweto, Kruger is a pig; the revolution is coming.” -
500 UWC students march to the Bellville Magistrate’s Court
Pupils at Alexander Sinton High and Belgravia High boycott classes. 500 UWC students march to the Bellville Magistrate’s Court were 15 students appeared on a number of charges arising from the recent events. There is a fire in Arcadia High and classes were boycotted at Somerset West after permission to hold prayer in sympathy with ‘Blacks who have died’. -
Violent ethnic clashes between Zulus and others
Violent ethnic clashes between Zulus and others, involving circa 10,000 blacks in running fights cause chaos in Soweto which the police appear unable to control. Police collusion is alleged. -
600 students from five secondary schools march to Bontheuwel
About 600 students from five secondary schools march to Bontheuwel. On their way they are confronted by four riot squad vans. The students are peppered with tear gas and hide in a nearby house. The police flushed the backyard with tear gas to prevent exit. -
Youth in coloured townships come out
The youth come out in the coloured townships. Schools, libraries and a magistrates court are set alight. -
Extend of damage and casualties are taken on
The Cillié Commission of Inquiry into the riots in Soweto on 16 June 1976 holds its first public hearing in Johannesburg. Evidence is taken on the extent of the damage and of casualties. -
Soweto flares into violence
The township of Soweto flares into violence again. An estimated 75,000 Pounds Sterling damage is caused. Incidents are also reported from Cape Town, Pretoria and Krugersdorp. -
Teachers and pupils are arrested
Teachers and pupils are arrested at the Morris lsaacson High School in Soweto.
