Johannesberg, South Africa: Hector Pieterson Memorial

The fight against apartheid in South Africa was a long and difficult one, and it's a bit difficult for an outsider such as a tourist to know everything that went on along the way. But the story of Hector Pieterson is an important one. 

It was June 16, 1976. He was a 12-year-old who was protesting the use of Afrikaans in school, a language that was mostly used by white and colored (meaning mixed in this case) students. Some blacks wanted the teachers to switch to their native languages. In the midst of a large demonstration, dogs attacked the 10,000 protesters and tear gas was used on them. In the confusion after that, shots were fired at the mostly young crowd. Pieterson was one of ten to die. A photo journalist snapped a shot of Pieterson as a friend carried him toward help while his sister accompanied them. It became a famous symbol for the resistance at the time. Pieterson soon was pronounced dead.

A memorial was set up to Pieterson only a couple of blocks from the shooting site. It was particularly touching to stand by that memorial and hear sister Antoinette tell our group about the events of that day - 50 years later. It made the history come alive. A museum is located nearby, and Antoinette works there as a tour guide.