For that reason it is of no avail for him to receive a training which has as its aim absorption in the European community while he cannot and will not be absorbed there.”
The Bantu Education Act, 1953-1979
With most Black schools previously run by missionaries, supported by a small sum of state aid, the Bantu Education Act officially brought Black schools under the control of the apartheid government. The ideological basis for Bantu education originated from a manifesto created by Afrikaner nationalists in 1939. This was rooted in the racist and paternalistic belief that educating black people was the duty of a supposedly superior white race.
The act required Black children to attend government schools. State funding became conditional to the acceptance of ensuring young Black students would be “hewers of wood and drawers of water”. Basic reading, writing, arithmetic, training for low-skilled labour and Christian religious studies, all taught primarily in Afrikaans and secondly, English.
Alongside state funding, additional contribution from taxes paid by the communities schools served was paid to schools, resulting in disproportionate monetary and human resource, sporting a teacher-student ratio from 40:1 to 60:1.
The South African Student Organisation, 1968-1977
Upon the ban of the Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) and African National Congress (ANC) by the South African government in 1960, the preponderance of political activity was left in the hands of the National Union of South African Students (NUSAS). A union, primarily dominated by white students, sympathising, as opposed to mobilising against the status uo.
Formed on the decision to break away from NUSAS and the domination of white interest, members of the University of Natal’s Black Campus SRC, co-led by Steve Biko, formed the South African Student Organisation (SASO). Prior to the creation of SASO no black student groups or political organisations were legally allowed to exist.
SASO projects, which focused on reinforcing black identity, included efforts to address health concerns and implement a literacy program. The central theme of SASO’s projects was black solidarity, emphasising that the African majority should unite to effectively oppose apartheid and obtain full citizenship. On 19 October 1977, the apartheid government banned SASO.
The Black Consciousness Movement, 196something-Present
“Black Consciousness is an attitude of mind and a way of life, the most positive call to emanate from the black world for a long time” – Steve Biko
Psychological liberation must precede any form of political liberation. The Black Consciousness Movement recognised that Black liberation could not come from white sympathy, but from the recognition that “Black” was an identity, a culture and community, not a simple race classification.
The Soweto Uprising, 16 June 1976
“On the 16th of June in 1976 we were so excited it was like we are going on a school trip, to them it was just a joyful march.”
The establishment of SASO as a vehicle to extricate Black people from the domination of white interest and genesis of the Black Consciousness Movement created a political awareness amongst students, mobilised by the imposition of Afrikaans as a mandatory language of instruction in 1974. Thus, the idea for the demonstration was born, organised by the Soweto Students Action Committee.
A march alongside 10,000 kindred spirits for a deeply held conviction. A banned song sung, echoing the essence of your identity. Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika. A declaration that you are your own person, proud of your mother tongue, and determined to learn your language, or at the very least, in a language recognized worldwide.
As the procession heads towards Orlando Stadium, tear gas clouds the air, gunshots ring out, and students scatter in chaos.
At least 176 Black students lost their lives on 16 June 1976.
A roll of film hid in Sam Nzima’s sock, developed a photo sent to the World Newspaper that put all eyes of South Africa. The image of Hector Peterson would became etched into the hearts of every South African for generations to come.
International pressure and sanctions against the South African government saw the Bantu Education Act repealed by the Education and the Training Act of 1979. This act maintained racially segregated education but eliminated discrimination in tuition fees and dissolved the segregated Department of Bantu Education. It also permitted the use of native languages for instruction up to the fourth grade and allowed limited attendance at private schools.
Education Today
I believe it wise not to sugar coat the current state. South Africa’s school system is among the most unequal globally. In the top 200 schools, students achieve more distinctions in mathematics than those in the next 6,600 schools combined. Our education system is 75th out of 76 predominantly wealthy countries. Just 37% of children who start school go on to pass the matriculation exam, and a mere 4% earn a degree.
Despite these deafening figures, the strength, belief for something greater and deep sense of conviction still mobilises our youth today.
TAQA Africa (https://www.taqa.africa/) believes that storytelling in African languages significantly contributes to the happiness and prosperity of Africans. The TAQA App is a digital library offering illustrated children’s audiobooks in all 11 official South African languages. Their goal is to transform the way literature and education are presented to African children by providing stories in their native languages
OURS (https://www.thatsours.co.za/) provides low cost, no power, no data access to early childhood development, primary and high school education resources.
Digify Africa (https://digifyafrica.com/) is on a mission to equip young people in all communities with essential digital skills through diverse programs and training initiatives.
These are just 3 of the many organisations created by youth for youth. While the figures may seem grim, we are not a nation shy of trusting for a better tomorrow. We are no stranger to raising our young people up to stand tall in who they are and all they can accomplish. While we recognise resources are not far and wide for all, we are resolute in our efforts to change this reality.
The Soweto Uprising, and the brave students who led it peacefully marched against the Bantu Education Act and Afrikaans with a simple purpose and statement. They will not be absorbed. Future generations will not be absorbed. Hendrik Verwoed said it as a blatantly abhorrent racist remark, but forgot to account for one thing. The spirit of Africa.
We cannot, and will not be absorbed into a European community. This spirit, embodied in our youth, continues to inspire and drive the ongoing mission for equality and justice in daily life, and education. The future belongs to those who dare to stand tall and claim it, and the young people of South Africa are on fire to lead the way.