Soweto: the uprising that changed South Africa

Jun 10, 2026 · 25m

In June 1976, thousands of students took to the streets of Soweto, South Africa, to protest a government decision to make Afrikaans a compulsory language of instruction in Black schools. When police opened fire on the demonstrators, at least 200 students were killed. The violence sparked a wave of protests across the country, growing into a nationwide uprising against apartheid. Guest: Professor Noor Nieftagodien, Head of the History Workshop at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg Guest: Seth Mazibuko, 1976 student protestor, activist and former teacher. Producer: Ali Benton

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