The freedom struggle

The South African Native National Congress
June 16, 1976: the streets of Soweto – the famous township in what is now known as Gauteng province – are a hive of activity as thousands of students take to the streets to protest against the government’s introduction of Afrikaans as the language of instruction in schools.

The Soweto uprising, as it became known, is one of the most famous events in the struggle against apartheid. It was on that day that 12-year-old Hector Pieterson was shot dead by police; you can see the museum and memorial dedicated to him in Orlando West, Soweto.

In order to understand the events leading up to the Soweto uprising, and indeed what followed, one needs to appreciate the broader context of apartheid. Not too far from where Pieterson was shot, the Apartheid Museum tells the story of apartheid through inspiring exhibits that include film footage, photographs, text panels and artefacts.

Soweto also hosts the former house of Nelson Mandela and the Mandela family. It has now been turned into a museum, containing memorabilia relating to the Mandela family.

Gauteng is home to many tributes and memorials to the heroes and the people of the struggle – those who spent their lives fighting for democracy and freedom. Freedom Park is an appropriately named memorial to these people, and more. The idea of the park is to commemorate all South Africans – regardless of political ideology – who played a meaningful role in shaping the country as we find it today.

Ghandi and policemen. Image courtesy of via Wikimedia Commons
Other tributes to struggle heroes are more subtle, such as Soweto’s Tokoza Park, which hosts the Moroka Dam, named after struggle icon Dr James Moroka, and the Regina Mundi Catholic Church, which provided shelter for activists.

Another famous area in the history of the struggle against apartheid is Rivonia. Here, a smallholding called Lilliesleaf hosted several struggle heroes who were on the run from the state. These heroes were ultimately arrested and tried – including Nelson Mandela – in the well-documented Rivonia Trial. You can visit Lilliesleaf Farm, which is a popular museum and resource centre.

South African theatre also played an important role in the struggle, providing a voice to the oppressed and dissenters of the apartheid regime. The Joburg Theatre Complex is a venue for contemporary South Africans to remember the past, to understand the present and to anticipate the future.

Gauteng has played host to some of the most significant events in South Africa’s history. A tour of Gauteng is a tour of the unique and exceptional history of South Africa.