Why June 16 is significant in Education
By: Abraham Motsoane
I thought that I would wait until the day to write these thoughts and experiences to share them with our learners, partners and readers of our posts and website; but something inside of me would not allow me.
As a South African, having suffered under the educational oppression of the previous apartheid regime, I feel that I would have done injustice to the future of our youth. The thought that the Soweto uprising, and indeed, the uprising that would later sweep across our beautiful country, was inspired by the youth of 1976 was enough reason to prompt me to continue sharing these experiences. Educational systems were created to benefit some, whilst depriving others; and this was enough to get students to carry on from the culture started by the protests of defying the Dompass, and leading the march by the likes of the departed MaSisulu and other departed heroes of the struggle(may their souls celebrate the results of their labour, as they rest in peace), other men and women of the 1950′s.
Such was the importance of education, and that it should still be as important now as it was then. Where we are fortunate is that we now have this freedom, not only politically but educationally, and we should strive for religious, financial and other freedoms too. And the weapon to use for all these marches in search of this freedom? EDUCATION.
With the advances of technology, now we have the freedom to learn from anywhere, to learn from anyone, to learn anyhow…
This day should really be used to celebrate the lives of the fallen heroes of this struggle, both young and old, the heroes we read about in newspapers, books and the ones we see on television documentaries. Some of these heroes we have not heard of and unfortunately, we might not get to hear about. And other heroes? I hope these will emerge in our times and in the future. However, they all deserve our salute for the sacrifices they made for us to be able to have this previlige which we often take for granted.
The very thought that I am sitting on the Computer at this time of the morning (2:18 am ), sharing my thoughts, my innermost feelings with the world, should be celebrated more. And now with the invention of tools such as the internet, elearning and the ability to become entrepreneural in how we share information, WOW!
Once again, let South Africa, the African continent, the world and the universe as a whole sing and plead as we sing “Nkosi Sikelela iAfrica” from the bottom of our hearts. Let us not forget our rich history, our heritage. Let all these events and activities be engraved in our hearts as we press forward to other types of freedoms: freedom of speech, press freedom, freedom to choose where you want to be in the future, freedom to choose your sexual orientation, freedom to choose what role you want to play in this world, freedom to influence others poisitively and freedom, yes freedom, freedom, freedom,freedom….(humming)
Tags: 1976, Africa, apartheid, continent, education, elearning, freedom, june 16, MaSisulu, online, online education, oppresion, Sisulu, South Africa, struggle
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