At a 50th anniversary Soweto Uprising event in Johannesburg, former student activist Miriam Gaffoo delivered a blunt message to South Africans: stop letting party politics weaken the fight for accountability.

Gaffoo, who attended Salt River High School and was later detained at the Women’s Prison, addressed the audience at the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto campus.

Her warning focused on what she described as a painful betrayal by political leaders and the fading culture of activism that once powered student resistance.

She said South Africans could not ignore the long-running neglect of conditions affecting black communities.

‘Party politics has divided us’

Gaffoo said the unity and courage that defined the student-led protests of June 16, 1976, had been damaged by narrow political interests.

“Each one of you here must stand up and apologise for allowing this country to be where it is today,” she said.

“We have allowed party politics to divide us, and that needs to stop as we remain anguished and betrayed by our leaders.”

Her comments formed part of a discussion facilitated by Dr Ali Hlongwane. She spoke alongside Mmagautha Molefe and veteran journalist Oupa Ngwenya.

Together, the speakers reflected on their personal experiences of apartheid and the challenges that shaped youth resistance during that period.

Veterans speak to young South Africans

The discussion aimed to use the memories of those who lived through the struggle to motivate younger South Africans.

Speakers reflected on the courage of students who stood up against apartheid education in 1976.

Echoing Gaffoo’s concerns, Mokoena called for scholarship to return to politics.

He reminded the audience that many of the young people who helped ignite the Soweto Uprising were still children.

“I remind people that Seth Mazibuko was just 15 years old, and Hector Pieterson a mere 13 when the uprising first ignited,” he said.

‘We must never tire of telling the story’

Mokoena said South Africans must continue asking whether the country is making real progress.

“Now, we’re at a point where we must ask if we are making progress, a challenging inquiry indeed,” he said.

“However, we must never tire of telling the story.”

The reflections come as South Africa prepares to mark five decades since the 1976 uprising, a moment that remains one of the most powerful symbols of youth resistance in the country’s history.