SAM Nzima wants June 16 1976 to be remembered as the day when people lost their lives in the pursuit of a free and democratic South Africa.
Nzima took the famous picture of dying Hector Pieterson in Soweto that became a symbol of liberation in Mzansi.
Speaking to Daily Sun at his home in Lilydale, Mpumalanga, the photographer said June 16 should be commemorated peacefully and should not be viewed as a day for boozing and partying.
“This is the day when people lost their lives for change. We are all free today because they gave up their lives. It is not a sacrifice we should take lightly,” he said.
“It is not right that our young people are destroying schools, hospitals, libraries and other buildings. It must end.”
He urged the youth to present their concerns in a peaceful manner and have respect for infrastructure.
“On that day in 1976, Tsietsi Mashinini urged the youth not to damage anything on their way to Orlando Stadium to hand over their memorandum. They listened to him until Pieterson was shot.
“Municipal offices were torched because the students were provoked,” he said.
He said the future of Mzansi’s young people is not the same as that of the youth of 1976.
“Today we are free. Our children can pick and choose the subjects they want to learn at school.
“In the past the government dictated what black children should learn,” he said.
Munghanana Lonele FM will tomorrow broadcast live from Nzima’s home in honour of the uprising.
