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Zuma pays tribute to Soweto uprising victims
Funke Atohengbe, Pretoria
 South African President, Jacob Zuma, has paid tribute to the youth who participated in the 1976 Soweto uprising, saying they sacrificed their lives for the freedom the country enjoys today.
Addressing the National Youth Day commemorations at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Zuma said the events of 16 June 1976 would never be forgotten.
"Today we remember our heroes -those who sacrificed their lives for us to be free. It is one of the most historic days in the history of our country wherein young people decided to say enough is enough and stood against the might of apartheid," he said.
Earlier, Gauteng Premier, Nomvula Mokonyane, said the events of 16 June 1976 would forever immortalize the role and contribution of the youth in the struggle for freedom and democracy in South Africa.
While commemorating the 35th anniversary of the uprising, she said: “South Africans should use the opportunity to look back, take stock and plan for the challenges ahead.”
The theme for the Youth Day celebrations - "Youth Action for Economic Freedom in Our Lifetime" highlighted the importance of economic emancipation and genuine youth empowerment.
On the 16th of June, 1976, South Africans took to the streets to protest against the use of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction in Schools and all other racial laws enacted by the apartheid regime.
Over one hundred School children were massacred in the uprising in Soweto while thousands were injured.
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