The City of Johannesburg will mark the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Soweto Uprising with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Hector Pieterson Memorial in Orlando West, led by President Cyril Ramaphosa, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and the Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, Cllr Dada Morero.
The ceremony will be followed by a solemn march to Orlando Stadium, retracing the path of the young people whose courage changed the course of the country's history.
On 16 June 1976, the youth of Soweto stood up against apartheid oppression, paying the ultimate price in the fight for freedom and dignity. Fifty years later, the City will pause to honour their sacrifice during a milestone Youth Month commemoration.
The wreath-laying ceremony at the Hector Pieterson Memorial will serve as the centrepiece of the City's Youth Month programme, which will run across all seven regions of Johannesburg throughout June. The programme aims to balance remembrance with initiatives focused on youth empowerment, participation and development.
Activities planned across the City include:
- Youth empowerment and leadership development programmes
- Career expos and bursary awareness initiatives
- Literacy and UNESCO-aligned educational programmes
- Sports tournaments and wellness campaigns
- Heritage preservation and commemorative events
- Community outreach initiatives
- Arts, culture, recreation and social awareness programmes
The City's Youth Month programme seeks to strengthen active citizenship, encourage greater youth participation in civic life and reaffirm Johannesburg's commitment to youth development and social inclusion.
As the City reflects on the legacy of 16 June 1976, the commemoration serves as a reminder of the bravery of young people who refused to accept injustice. Beyond remembrance, the programme aims to inspire a new generation to play an active role in shaping Johannesburg's future.
Youth Month Activations
04/06/2026
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