Churches remember Soweto uprising anniversary

-19/06/06

The African-born general secre


Churches remember Soweto uprising anniversary

-19/06/06

The African-born general secretary of the World Council of Churches, the Rev Dr Samuel Kobia, has paid tribute to the 1976 Soweto young peopleís uprising in South Africa, saying it hastened the end of the apartheid era, when the country was ruled by a white-minority government.

The message came on the thirtieth anniversary of the event, 16 June 1976, when South African police opened fire on black students demonstrating in Johannesburg’s famous dormitory city.

“It was started by young kids, many of them schoolchildren, who were tired of being underdogs in their own country,” said Dr Kobia, a Methodist from Kenya.

He added that in spite of the tragic killings, the bravery of the unarmed protestors in the face of state violence “triggered the final end to apartheid in South Africa.”

Events marking the 30th anniversary of Soweto in South Africa itself began with the unveiling of a memorial to Tsietsi Mashinini, who led the demonstration and later died mysteriously.

His mother, Nomkitha, honoured her son and the courage he displayed at the newly opened memorial park opposite the school that he attended.

The anniversary of Soweto has been named ëYouth Dayí, in order to focus on the needs of a new generation in the still difficult post-apartheid era.

The All-Africa Council of Churches has also dubbed it the ëInternational Day of the African Childí, as reported on Ekklesia.

South African President Thabo Mbeki laid a wreath at the Soweto memorial to Hector Peterson, the youngest victim of the uprising, on the spot where he was shot by police in 1976.

More than 20,000 people listened to the president at the FNB stadium, as he addressed a memorial rally, admitting that poverty and poor education still plague South Africa’s young people.

Messages were also heard from Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who both played crucial roles in the struggle to end institutional racial segregation, violence and discrimination.

The World Council of Churches, which brings together many of the worldís Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, indigenous and independent churches, and cooperates with Roman Catholics, played a major role in working against apartheid.

Its Special Programme to Combat Racism was condemned at the time as ëmeddling in politicsí, but has since been seen by many as a brave and prophetic move.


Churches remember Soweto uprising anniversary

-19/06/06

The African-born general secretary of the World Council of Churches, the Rev Dr Samuel Kobia, has paid tribute to the 1976 Soweto young peopleís uprising in South Africa, saying it hastened the end of the apartheid era, when the country was ruled by a white-minority government.

The message came on the thirtieth anniversary of the event, 16 June 1976, when South African police opened fire on black students demonstrating in Johannesburg’s famous dormitory city.

“It was started by young kids, many of them schoolchildren, who were tired of being underdogs in their own country,” said Dr Kobia, a Methodist from Kenya.

He added that in spite of the tragic killings, the bravery of the unarmed protestors in the face of state violence “triggered the final end to apartheid in South Africa.”

Events marking the 30th anniversary of Soweto in South Africa itself began with the unveiling of a memorial to Tsietsi Mashinini, who led the demonstration and later died mysteriously.

His mother, Nomkitha, honoured her son and the courage he displayed at the newly opened memorial park opposite the school that he attended.

The anniversary of Soweto has been named ëYouth Dayí, in order to focus on the needs of a new generation in the still difficult post-apartheid era.

The All-Africa Council of Churches has also dubbed it the ëInternational Day of the African Childí, as reported on Ekklesia.

South African President Thabo Mbeki laid a wreath at the Soweto memorial to Hector Peterson, the youngest victim of the uprising, on the spot where he was shot by police in 1976.

More than 20,000 people listened to the president at the FNB stadium, as he addressed a memorial rally, admitting that poverty and poor education still plague South Africa’s young people.

Messages were also heard from Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who both played crucial roles in the struggle to end institutional racial segregation, violence and discrimination.

The World Council of Churches, which brings together many of the worldís Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox, indigenous and independent churches, and cooperates with Roman Catholics, played a major role in working against apartheid.

Its Special Programme to Combat Racism was condemned at the time as ëmeddling in politicsí, but has since been seen by many as a brave and prophetic move.