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Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum

##Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum The Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum in Soweto, South Africa, commemorates the youth uprising of 16 June 1976. The Black Consciousness Movement of Steve Biko stimulated huge resentment against the oppression of black people under apartheid. The police responded with sharp ammunition. Hector Pietersen was the first of a large number of learners to be killed on that day.

Overview

#Hector Pieterson Memorial and Museum After the incarceration of Nelson Mandela and his comrades the struggle for freedom lost some of its momentum. In the late 1960’s Steve Biko took initiative in founding the Black Consciousness Movement among students. This led to growing resentment among the black youth against the system of apartheid. In the 1970’s the government decreed that a third of all school subjects should be taught in Afrikaans which was perceived as the language of the oppressor. Ultimately the pupils in Soweto organised a protest march which took place on 16 June 1976. The police responded with sharp ammunition and a large number of pupils were killed of which Hector Pieterson was the first. The museum that commemorates this, was named after him.

The massacre of 16 June 1976 sparked huge protests of learners all over the country and gave new impetus to the struggle for freedom. Many historians see the youth revolt of 16 June 1976 as a turning point in the struggle.

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