South African schools are commemorating the bravery of the Class of ’76 by adding the names of fallen heroes to their honour’s boards, ensuring that their legacy lives on.
On 16 June 1976 young South Africans protesting educational injustices lost their lives at the hands of the apartheid regime. While Youth Day commemorates this tragic event, many names of these brave individuals have faded from memory. Nedbank, in partnership with 10 South African schools, has launched the Youth Honours Board initiative to honour these heroes by including their names on the schools’ prestigious honours boards.
‘The Class of ‘76 laid the foundation for inclusive education and democracy in our country,’ says Khensani Nobanda, Group Executive for Marketing and Corporate Affairs at Nedbank. ‘Their sacrifices were not in vain, and we believe their names deserve to be remembered.’
The first 3 schools to participate in the Youth Honours Board initiative unveiled the names of their ‘adopted’ heroes as part of their Youth Day commemorations. They are Holy Family College in Parktown, which included Karabo Moloi on their list of honoured students; Krugersdorp High School, which unveiled the name of Noble Mabaso; and St Mary’s Diocesan School for Girls in Kloof, which added the name of Irene Phalatse to its honours roll.
Leonard Mabaso, Noble Mabaso’s brother, expressed his appreciation that his sibling will finally be remembered for the diligent and passionate student he was. ‘June 16th,1976, robbed us of a lot of intelligent people,’ he says. ‘He would have been a doctor or a professor – that guy was always buried in books; he enjoyed and found school important because he believed that through it, he could fulfil his dreams and become whatever he wanted.’
Karabo Moloi’s father agrees: ‘I see my son’s name right there on the wall to be seen by everybody, and it makes me happy,’ says Pabala David Moloi.
Seven more schools will participate in the initiative, adding the names of other heroes to their honours boards. These schools are the following:
- Orient Islamic School, Durban – Dumisani Mbatha.
- Parkhill Secondary School, Durban – Bhekibandla Mashiyane.
- Kingswood College, Makhanda – Linda Gaba.
- Letsibogo Girls Maths, Science and ICT School of Specialisation, Soweto – Irene Phalatse and Sphiwe Gule.
- Forte High School, Soweto – Hastings Ndlovu.
- George Khoza Secondary School, Soweto – Hector Pieterson.
- Itirele-Zenzele Comprehensive School, Diepsloot – Isaac Nthite.
‘The Class of ‘76 showed us the power of youth to change the world,’ Nobanda emphasises. ‘By sharing their stories, we want to inspire future generations to unlock their potential.’
To learn more about the heroes and their families, visit www.Classof76.co.za.
INFO SUPPLIED.
