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Group    From 16/6/1976  To 16/6/1976

Soweto children killed in 1976

Categories: Children, Tragedy

Countries: South Africa

Soweto children killed in 1976

Soweto is a township of Johannesburg, South Africa. At least 176 people were killed during a protest about the introduction of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction in local schools. Of these, 116 were children.

This photograph, taken by Sam Nzima (1934-2018) shows the mortally wounded Hector Pieterson (1963-1976) being carried by Mbuyisa Makhubo (anti-Apartheid activist and Soweto resident) while Pieterson’s sister, Antoinette Sithole (aged 17), runs beside to them.

Pieterson was driven to a clinic in Nzima’s car but he was already dead. Afterwards Makhubo was harassed by the police and went into hiding.  His family lost all contact with him. Nzima also suffered harassment and temporarily went into hiding.

All information from . Also have an excellent 12 minute video about the event and the photograph. 

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This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Soweto children killed in 1976

Commemorated ati

Soweto children

This sculpture was inspired by a widely-circulated and influential news photo...

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Other Subjects

Henry Herbert Gwynn

Henry Herbert Gwynn

Henry Herbert Gwynn is 3rd from the right of the nine boys standing in the photograph of the scout troop. He was born in 1899 in Newington, Walworth, Surrey, the youngest of the six children of Ja...

Person, Children, Community / Clubs, Tragedy

2 memorials
John Procter, the younger

John Procter, the younger

Grandson of Mary and John Procter, died aged 9 months. We don't actually know that his surname was Procter since John had one daughter as well as three sons.

Person, Children, Friend / family

1 memorial
Charlotte Esther White

Charlotte Esther White

Drowned in the 1898 HMS Albion disaster, aged 5. Buried in grave 3 at the memorial in East London Cemetery.

Person, Children, Tragedy

1 memorial
Ernest Hopkins

Ernest Hopkins

Drowned in the 1898 HMS Albion disaster, aged 12. Buried in grave 3 at the memorial in East London Cemetery.

Person, Children, Tragedy

1 memorial
Joy Harman

Joy Harman

One of the 11 "children of England" present on 7th July 1933 when The Princess Royal laid a foundation stone for a nurses home for the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital.

Person, Children

1 memorial