16 June 2016 is the 40th anniversary of the uprising by Soweto school students which marked the beginning of the end of apartheid. Thousands of young people defied police bullets and hundreds were killed and injured. Over the next year many were detained and tortured, and others went into exile.
In London former student activists, historians and journalists will discuss the legacy of Soweto at a symposium at the Institute of Education, Bedford Way, WC1 on 16 June, 5–8pm. ‘Remember Soweto’
In Newcastle a conference ‘Spirit of Soweto: Racism and rebellion 40 years on’ will make links between history and the present day. Organised by educators and campaigners in partnership wth the Martin Luther King Peace Committee, the conference will learn from South Africa four decades ago to nourish anti-racist and solidarity movements in 2016. 18 June, 11am–5pm, Barbara Strang Teaching Centre, Newcastle University, NE1 7RU www.eventbrite.com