Join the June 16 Soweto Jubilee
A Journey of Youth and Community Empowerment, Uniting Towards the 50th Anniversary in 2026.
The June 16 Soweto Jubilee, a groundbreaking township tourism initiative led by the Soweto community, is set to launch with the aim of raising R1 million to empower the township economy, support youth entrepreneurs, and fund the development of two historic schools pivotal to the June 16, 1976 Soweto Uprising – Phefeni Secondary School and Orlando West High School. This ambitious program, spearheaded by the WeUprising Movement and the June 16 Youth Development Foundation, is in collaboration with Rotaract District 9400, the Soweto Rotary Community Corps (SRCC), and The United South Africa Movement (TUSAM), marking the beginning of a journey towards 2026, the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising.
The three-day festival is designed as a township tourism packaged experience, priced at R1000 per visitor. This year, in partnership with the Eyethu Heritage Hall, Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers (SATSA Member), and the National School of Arts, we are targeting 1000 visitors, with the goal of attracting 10,000 visitors next year, and 1 million visitors by 2026. This initiative aims to contribute significantly to the township economy, by supporting local businesses, creatives, and artists, while providing a unique Soweto cultural experience for tourists.
By purchasing a June 16 Soweto Jubilee ticket or donating, you contribute to a cause beyond commemoration. You help rebuild the educational foundations of an iconic community, honour the legacy of the Youth of 1976 Soweto Uprising, and empower the next generation of leaders.
Three-Day Program Breakdown
Day 1: June 14 - Biyo Film Screening Showcasing films themed around apartheid history and discussions at the new Eyethu Heritage Hall, inspiring new storytellers and preserving the theatre’s legacy.
Day 2: June 15 - Sober Discussions A panel discussion bridging senior and youth generations of activists and entrepreneurs, focusing on innovative solutions to today’s challenges, held at the Eyethu Heritage Hall.
Day 3: June 16 - Soweto Experience The day begins with breakfast at the popular local restaurant, Native Rebels, followed by a 4km morning walk retracing the 1976 history. The tourism experience continues with a youth market and an all-day music showcase at Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers.
Additionally, the program will recruit 100 unemployed youth from the community as volunteers. This youth drive aims to provide valuable skills, work experience, and help to reduce idle time that often leads to substance abuse and crime. The month will conclude with the celebration of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Thursday 27 June 2024, at the Phefeni Recreation Centre, promoting healthy, drug-free communities.
The June 16 Soweto Jubilee is more than an event; it is a movement to restore dignity, provide opportunities, and build a future where the youth of Soweto can thrive.
Media Contact
Jabulile Mqoqi
079 115 1626
About the Partners
About WeUprising Movement: a youth-focused non-profit company dedicated to empowering young people and fostering community development in Soweto. Our mission is inspired by the resilient spirit of the 1976 Soweto students who fought apartheid and won. Our focus is on empowering youth living in townships today, through social innovation programs that foster sustainable growth and positive social change. Our programs are designed creatively by fusing Youth Culture, Creative Arts, Entrepreneurship, Technology, Education, and Sports.
About Phefeni Secondary School and Orlando West High: May 1976, students at Phefeni Junior Secondary School began boycotting classes in protest against Afrikaans as the language of teaching, igniting the movement that led to the Soweto Uprising. The corner of Orlando West High School became a site of historical significance when apartheid police used teargas and began shooting at students during the protest. These schools, and many others in Soweto, still bear the scars of apartheid’s educational neglect, with dilapidated infrastructure and insufficient resources. We envision comprehensive upgrades for these historic schools and other schools along the June 16 trail, including the installation of world-class toilets, libraries, computer rooms, science labs, sports facilities, and other extracurricular amenities.
About the June 16 Youth Development Foundation: an independent delivery agent of youth economic, social and educational development projects, based on the history and heritage of 1976 and the related youth struggles. It is led by Mr. Seth Mazibuko, the former student at Phefeni Junior Secondary School and the youngest member of the 11 students that were arrested for planning and leading the Soweto Uprising. The June 16 Youth Development Foundation was formed to preserve, protect, and promote the heritage and history of the values, virtues, and victories of youth leadership and involvement in the liberation, growth and development of South Africa and Africa.
About the Rotaract District 9400: Rotaract is an international organization of young professionals and students ages 18 to 30 that are committed to taking action through service and leadership in their communities. Established in 1968 by Rotary International, Rotaract is a global network of young people who are changing the world with clubs in over 160 countries. District 9400 consists of clubs in South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, and Mozambique.
About the Soweto Rotary Community Corps (SRCC): a dedicated group of community-based organizations committed to enhancing the quality of life in Soweto through sustainable community service initiatives. As part of the global Rotary network, the SRCC brings together community organizations in or near Soweto to address pressing local needs through collaborative projects and community engagement. The SRCC strives to create a positive and lasting impact on the community, focusing on key areas such as education, poverty alleviation, health, and environment conservation.
About the Eyethu Heritage Hall: developed by the Tshabalala Family in 2023 to honour the legacy of Mr. Ephraim Batana Tshabalala and his wife, Mrs. Caroline Kinini Tshabalala, a couple who were retail giants of their time, despite the prohibitive apartheid system, leaving an indelible mark on the township and beyond with their numerous enterprises. Of all their enterprises, Eyethu Cinema in Mofolo, Soweto, which opened in 1969 as one of South Africa's first black-owned cinemas, was the most iconic. Eyethu Cinema has been restored as a Heritage Hall and is now part of a new shopping centre. The hub aims to cultivate rich storytelling traditions, enhance cultural and economic value, and inspire a vibrant township economy that brings prosperity and hope to the local community.
About The United South Africa Movement (TUSAM): www.tusam.co.za
About Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers: www.sowetobackpackers.com
About the National School of the Arts (NSA): www.artschool.co.za
