On Saturday 16th June 2018 Iziko Museums of South Africa commemorates Youth Day and offers *FREE entry to selected Iziko museums. The future of South Africa, and the world, depends on the youth of today. Iziko honours and recognises the contributions of young people as catalyst of change, ambassadors for equality and peacemakers.
Museums are multidimensional spaces – a testament to our shared roots and heritage, as well as contemporary spaces of exploration. They provide access to opportunity – to probe, investigate and reflect. Across the world and in South Africa today, the legacies of past injustice continue to permeate society. Despite these manifestations of intergenerational trauma disconnect between the past and present exist.
The 1976, June 16th Soweto uprising resulted in a widespread revolt that turned into an uprising against the government. Protesting students marched peacefully against the government’s directive, the Bantu Education Act 1953. They were met by heavily armed police who fired teargas and later live ammunition on demonstrating students. Among the first students to be shot dead were 15 year old Hastings Ndlovu and 13 year old Hector Pieterson. This protest ignited further unrest and resistance against the Apartheid government.
The Trojan Horse massacre on 15th October 1985, resulted in the death of three young people. The gathering of youths demonstrating against the Apartheid government, were crushed when a South African Railways truck filled with police drove down Thornton Road, Athlone, and shot and killed 3 youth, Jonathan Claasen, aged 21, Shaun Magmoed, aged 15 and Michael Miranda, aged 11. Today, RhodesMustFall, FeesMustFall and BoKaapRise, highlight the traumatic impact of the legacies of socio-economic injustice.
An intergenerational conversation, hosted in collaboration with the Castle of Good Hope and the !Aman Traditional Authority will take place at the Castle of Good Hope from 10:30 until 15:00. The memorial lecture entitled: “CHIEFTAINCY OF THE !AMAN//AES ( AMAQUA)”,will discuss the history of the Chieftaincy and the Nama language, as well as the role of youth in the preservation and survival of the Nama culture.
A Youth Day performance by the Rainbow Academy will take place at 12 noon in the Whale Well at the Iziko South African Museum at 12:00 (noon). Iziko salute the undying fortitude of youth and invite all to pause, reflect and remember the sacrifices that resulted in our liberties today.
Free entrance at Iziko’s:
Bo-Kaap Museum, 71 Wale Street Cape Town, open daily from Mondays to Saturdays from 09h00 to 16h00
Slave Lodge, Corner Adderley and Wale Streets, Cape Town, open from Monday to Saturday from 09h00 to 17h00
South African National Gallery, Government Avenue, Company’s Garden, Cape Town open daily from 09h00 to 17h00
South African Museum, Queen Victoria Street, Company’s Garden, Cape Town open daily from 09h00 to 17h00
Maritime Centre, 1st Floor, Union-Castle House, Dock Road, V&A Waterfront open daily from 09h00 to 16h00
Ends
Issued by: Melody Kleinsmith
Marketing and Communications Manager: Iziko Museums of South Africa
Telephone: +27 (0) 21 481 3874 Cellphone: 0731074955
Website http:
On behalf of: Office of the CEO, Iziko Museums of South Africa
About Iziko Museums of South Africa (Iziko)
Iziko operates 11 national museums, the Planetarium and Digital Dome, the Social History Centre and three collection‑specific libraries in Cape Town. The museums that make up Iziko have their own history and character, presenting extensive art, social and natural history collections that reflect our diverse African heritage. Iziko is a public entity and public benefit organisation that brings together these museums under a single governance and leadership structure. The organisation allows *free access to all individuals on commemorative days, (*excluding the Castle of Good Hope, Groot Constantia and Planetarium and Digital Dome). Visit our webpage at www.iziko.org.za, join our online community on Facebook (www.facebook.com/IzikoMuseums) or follow us on Twitter (@Iziko_Museums) for regular updates on events, news and new exhibitions.
