Ambassador of Serbia Attends the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Soweto Uprising

The event was organized by the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture of the Republic of South Africa, while the keynote address was delivered by President Cyril Ramaphosa, who paid tribute to the young people whose courage and sacrifice helped pave the way for the dismantling of apartheid and the establishment of a democratic South Africa.

On 16 June 1976, apartheid police killed more than 200 young protesters who had taken to the streets in opposition to the discriminatory education system imposed by the regime. The events in Soweto became a turning point in South Africa’s liberation struggle, inspiring broader resistance across the country and drawing international attention to the injustices of apartheid.

Today, 16 June is commemorated annually as Youth Day in South Africa, honoring the generation whose sacrifice made an invaluable contribution to the fight for freedom, equality and human dignity.

By participating in this important commemoration, the Embassy of the Republic of Serbia pays tribute to all victims of apartheid and reaffirms its commitment to the values of freedom, justice, human rights and international solidarity.