On 17 July 2024, Sol Plaatje University‘s (SPU) Research Office, in collaboration with the Student Life and Development Unit, hosted a dynamic public lecture attended by SPU students, staff, and high school learners from Vuyolwethu Secondary School, Technical High School Kimberley, and William Pescod Secondary School, who were all eager to hear from Ms Antoinette Sithole, a prominent figure of the 1976 Youth Uprising.
The Vice-Chancellor and Principal of SPU, Prof Andrew Crouch, welcomed the esteemed guest and addressed the audience on the significance of the day. He encouraged learners and students to learn from Ms Sithole’s experiences and teachings to tackle contemporary issues such as poverty, unemployment, and unequal access to education.
The event was themed “Commitment, Sacrifice, and Resilience: SPU Community in Conversation with Ms Antoinette Sithole,” highlighting the enduring values that shaped the South African youth of 1976. Ms Sithole, a historian, librarian, storyteller, and activist, remains indelibly linked to the struggle for liberation and justice in South Africa. She, along with her late brother Hector Peterson and Mbuyisa Makhubu, is immortalized in Sam Nzima’s iconic photograph, symbolizing the determination of young people against the imposition of Afrikaans in township schools.
Her visit to SPU was a unique opportunity to draw inspiration from her experiences, aimed at instilling in the SPU community, especially students, the values of commitment, sacrifice, and resilience.
In her keynote address, Ms Sithole recounted the historic events of 16 June 1976, emphasizing the importance of education in restoring the dignity of the African child. “The students of ’76 died for this cause because they recognized the value that comes with being educated. The conditions that South African students and learners find themselves in today do not honour this legacy. My advice to you all is to face the challenges of today through dialogue and engagement, in the spirit of ubuntu and mutual respect,” she urged. She also reminded the audience that while the youth of ’76 did what they could at the time, much work remains. “All of us need to make a lot of noise in our little corners to witness real change,” she said.
Prof Luvuyo Ntombana, SPU’s Director for Research, reminded the audience that moving forward requires a common goal and to learn from past lessons to guide our future direction.
