Youth Day (1976 June 16)

Amandla….Mayivuye e Africa.
Oh!
1976 June 16 students’ uprising.
You deserve a standing ovation
For you fought sacrificed fight to seize this Pyrrhic victory.
Oh! Yes it is a Pyrrhic victory.
For we are still outclassed by white domination.
Yes we outflank their calamity regime.
But still…

There is no freedom in our educational system.
Yes we prevailed against our colonial masters.
Yes we wear the laurel wreath.
But still.
There is no freedom in our educational system.
They imprison innocent blood for reclaiming Bantu Education.
For they fear WHAT our future generation will become.

Their torturing, killings and beatings
Are unforgettable.
Yes we are still in Pain.
Oh! Tantane spirit of our heroes.
Mbuyisa Makhubu.
Hastings Ndlovu
Antoinette Sithole
Hector Pieterson
Peter Lengene.
Mapetha Mohapi.
Tepello Motaponyane.
Mathe Diseko.
Mpho Mashinini.
Yes we overpowered their brutal apartheid regime.
But still..
There is no freedom in our educational system.
Oh! Dear future generations I’m calling to
Enfranchise our educational system.
Oh! Bantu Education…Bantu Education
Amandla!! Mayivuye e Africa.