June 16 - Soweto Uprising Commemorations

June 16 is the day when South Africa commemorates the events of Soweto in June 16, 1976. That was the day when tens of thousands of Soweto students marched against the use of Afrikaans (the language of the perpetrators of apartheid) as the medium of instruction in schools. This event led to the sporadic eruption which spread throughout the country. During that march, a 13 year old student, Hector Peterson was shot and killed - a clear sign of the Police brutality unmasked.


Bridgman Centre played a prominent role in the life of a number of students when the schools were closed after the June '76 uprisings. It provided a home and a place of fun and learning. Students armed themselves with education while having fun with games.  Behind the scenes they planned the future activities which were meant to circumvent the might and the brutality of the law - of the South African government of the time.

We commemorated the 35th anniversary of this event at BRIDGMAN Development Centre - Zola Soweto. Eighty odd young people gathered on this year (June 16, 2011). We were blessed by the presence of the TIM participants who come from different parts of the world; India, Jamaica, Zimbabwe, Hong Kong, Madagascar Whales to name but a few.

We were also blessed by the presence of UCCSA local youth groups. The Krugersdorp Youth (on the picture) presented a drama - which was fitting the occasion.  The TIM guys each presented something of their culture amongst the items rendered on the program was:

- A musical item by Charlz (Bangladesh) singing the song he composed for his girlfriend

- Dance by Tieem (pronounced Sam) from Killibas Islands together with Beta (from Solomon Islands).

We were also privileges to hear of cultures from Hong Kong, Malawi, and other countries. They were 12 altogether.

Bridgman Centre continues to a home and an icon of the communities around .  Viva Bridgman Centre !