Fun things to do for Youth Day under lockdown

June 16 is a very special day on the South African calendar.

It is a day to commemorate the 1976 Soweto youth who stood up against the apartheid government and fought for the freedom of black people.

This year, millions of people will be observing the day while indoors. This is because South Africa is currently under lockdown and mass gatherings are prohibited.

But this doesn’t mean you cannot celebrate.

We have put together a list of virtual events, shows, and movies which you can enjoy in the comfort of your home on Youth Day 2020.

Movies

There are two brilliant movies that capture how life was in the 1970s during the apartheid era.

Sarafina!

This award-winning film tells the story of young people in Soweto who fought against the white minority who undermined the rights of black people.

'Sarafina!' shows how young people were killed by police while fighting for their freedom.

It stars Leleti Kumalo, a young activist who got inspiration from Nelson Mandela, Whoopi Goldberg, and Miriam Makeba. 

Cry Freedom

'Cry Freedom' is based on the true story of Steve Biko and a liberal white newspaper editor who risked his life to bring Biko's anti-apartheid message to the world.

Biko was at the forefront of the Black Consciousness Movement during the late 1960s and 1970s. 

The movie captures how Biko, played by Denzel Washington, fought for the freedom of blacks under the apartheid regime.

Youth Day Talks

Watch a Zoom interview with the man behind the 'Sarafina!' screenplay, Mbongeni Ngema. He will be talking about living in the apartheid era and the struggles the youth faced and conquered. 

Ngema will be joined by PJ Powers and several other musicians, who will all be performing live.

There will also be a 'Sarafina!' watch party. 

Join the virtual class on Zoom at 7pm. Details in the poster below:

Youth Day Music

This Youth Day, the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture & Recreation and MTV Base brings you a virtual show featuring some of the biggest names in showbiz in South Africa. 

Expect performance from Nasty C, Lady Zamar, Prince Kaybee, Holly Rey, Ayanda Jiya, and others. 

The host is none other than the hilarious Lasizwe. The show starts at 5pm.