‘Nothing Has Changed’ For Soweto Students Rioting Of 1976 Remembered Amid Continuing Hardships

A generation ago, students burst into this township’s streets to shout to the world that they wanted a better life.

Anger and frustration were in the air again Sunday as today’s Soweto youths remembered the 1976 riots.

“Nothing has changed - we still suffer overcrowded schools, shattered windows; we don’t have textbooks,” said Asham Mxdisi Tawana, the 20-year-old leader of a militant black students’ group.

Mxdisi, speaking at an anniversary ceremony in a Soweto church, began with a greeting to “comrades, compatriots, fellow revolutionaries, stone-lobbers and petrol bombers.”

The 1976 Soweto riots were touched off by resentment over being taught in Afrikaans, the favored language of the white rulers. Soon, protesters were condemning all the injustices of apartheid.

Nationwide rioting broke out after police opened fire on a group of Soweto demonstrators, and hundreds of young people died across the country over the next few weeks.

In recent weeks, protests reminiscent of the 1976 marches have erupted into violence across the country. Black students complain they face racism as once all-white schools are integrated and that high tuition costs are keeping education as out of reach now as the law used to.

President Nelson Mandela said Sunday that his government would launch a student financial aid program next week. He added he has urged university and college administrators to address racism and other problems on campuses.

Survivors of the 1976 riots urged moderation on Sunday.

“I encourage the present crop of youths to attend school. Education is the most important weapon we have,” said 40-year-old Sipho Yende, who joined in the crowds throwing rocks at Soweto municipal offices and other buildings which were seen as symbols of the apartheid government back in 1976.

Mandela, the country’s first black president, declared June 16 a national holiday - Youth Day - after he won historic all-race elections in 1994.

But lack of money has forced his government to retreat on promises to offer free primary and secondary education. The country needs schools but also roads, hospitals and houses.