10 THINGS TO TELL YOUR CHILD ABOUT YOUTH DAY

Talking to children about historical events can be challenging, especially when it’s painful, or even bloody, events such as Youth Day (June 16). But, sharing about our nation’s history is important to ensure a brighter future for all South Africans.

REFLECT TO MOVE FORWARD
Change is the one constant guaranteed in life, so why not have your little ones learn from our collective past? Youth Day is one such opportunity to do just that. Spending time with your children unpacking the significance of past events is essential, if only to equip them with the knowledge and have them better understand why we commemorate Youth Day.

SHARE THE HARD FACTS
South Africa’s political history is littered with suffering and injustice, not exactly topics anyone enjoys talking about, especially with vulnerable young minds. So, your best defence in keeping them safe is to teach them to expect open and honest conversation from you.

PROMOTE OPENNESS AND HONESTY
If you build trust with your children, they will feel comfortable knowing that they can ask any question, and you will deliver the answers they seek. Yes, they may not be able to relate to the Soweto uprising in June 1976, but the trust you build from a young age will allow them to feel free to ask.

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KEEP IT CLEAR
Once you’ve started the conversation, keep your emotions out of it, despite how you may feel and keep it simple. Answer all their questions and talk through everything you think is important in a way they’ll best understand; we don’t want them to find these conversations discouraging because they’re too confusing or upsetting.

CELEBRATE OUR HEROES
Fortunately, our tragic past also presents the opportunity for our children to focus on their many positive outcomes. What was won rather than what was lost. And share all you know about the heroes who helped change our country for the better. If anything, it will leave them feeling less upset and more likely positive and inspired.

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PREPARE
The more you know, the better you will be able to deal with any challenging questions. We all know a little, but the more we know, the easier it will be to present a complete and accurate picture.

Here are 10 facts about Youth Day to help you:

June 16 was a three-day event to protest the 1974 introduction of Afrikaans, alongside English, as a compulsory medium of instruction in schools.
On June 16, 1976, an estimated 20 000 students marched to demonstrate and protest the government’s directive.
Tsietsi Mashinini is recognised as being the leader of the uprising.
The protest started peacefully and turned violent when the police opened fire on unarmed students.
Sam Nzima was responsible for taking the iconic photograph of Hector Pieterson, carried by 18-year-old Mbuyisa Makhubo, after being shot and killed by the police.
According to the Cillie Commission of Enquiry, 575 people died. 451 of those deaths were because of police action.
A further 3 907 people were injured, 2 389 of them at the hands of the police.
By June 18, the unrest had gained momentum and spread to townships around Soweto and other parts of the country.
Initially known as Soweto Day, Youth Day became an official public holiday after Nelson Mandela became president in 1994.
The day honours and celebrates those who fought injustice to ensure that no one language is considered superior.

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