PEOPLE

A biographical note

Many people were involved in the historic turning point that 16 June 1976 became. These South African students, parents, activists, government employees, and others were in Soweto itself and elsewhere across the country. They made their contributions (from positive to destructive) leading up to the day, on the day itself, and the through the tumultuous period following June 16th. The biographies here are of some of these players. This section of our site is currently being researched further, so the selection is provisional and is in no way intended to appear an exhaustive list of key participants. The plan for this section is to organize biography categories as follows: student organization leaders, students, parents, government leaders, eye-witnesses, other key leaders, and Soweto poets and artists, to name a few. If you can contribute to building this section of the site, be it with reference material, an eye-witness account or a biography, we would like to hear from you. You can

Key Biographies

New bio added: Paul Mokabe - 1976 student Activist who recently died in the US

Pastor Michael 'Allan' Lapsley - National Chaplain of  the Anglican Student’s Federation (ASF)

Nomkhitha Virginia Mashinini - her son Tsietsi was one  of the leaders of the 1976 student uprising in Soweto; she was  detained thereafter

Tsietsi Mashinini - Leader of the June 16 1976 Soweto  Uprising. He led the march that escalated and rocked the whole  country. They marched from Naledi township, at the south western  end of Soweto, collecting others from other schools on their route  to Orlando East, the north eastern part of the vast complex

Saul Sibusiso Mashinini - served on the Soweto Student Representative Council (SSRC) at the time of the 1976 uprising

Thandi Modise - her political activity began in 1976 when, as  a student, she was jailed for ten years for fighting the apartheid  regime

Sam Nzima - photographer who took the famous image of  Hector Petersen

Michael Sedgwick - was detained in the 1976 crackdown on  the uprising, following the events in Soweto

 

PERSONALITIES OF THE UPRISING

Tsietsi Mashinini (deceased) Khotso Seatlholo (deceased) Murphy Morobe - (Head of Communications in the office of the President Thabo Mbeki) Seth Mazibuko Elias “Roller” Masinga SSRC backroom strategists Billy Masetlha Super Moloi Daniel Sechaba Montsitsi Trofomo Sono Sibongile Mthembu Mkhabela Titi Mthenjane Thabo Ndabeni Jefferson Lengene Paul Langa Hector Pieterson

Other:

Mbuyisa Makhubu Hastings Ndlovu (deceased) Antoinette Sithole (lady seen with Mbuyisa and Hector Pieterson) Peter Lengene Mapetha Mohapi Tepello Motaponyane Mathe Diseko Mpho Mashinini Rocks Mashinini Micky Tsagae Reverend Legotlo (sympathizer) Selby Semela Martin Legassick Johnty Driver – President of NUSAS Thami Mhlambiso – Deputy President of NUSAS 1961-2 Malusi Mpumlwana Mxolisi Mvovo Kenneth Rachidi Harry Nengwekhulu Tebogo Mafole Bokwe Mafuna Thom Manthata Justice Moloto Peter Lenkoe - Student at Madibane High School and President of ASM Mathe Diseko – President of National Youth Organisation and National Secretary of SASM Zweli Sizani SASM Organiser Vusi Tshabalala SASM President Mamphele Ramphele - SASO member Henry Isaacs – SASO President in 1973 Masterpiece Gumede - SASO Joe Phaahla – President of AZASO Aaron Motswaledi SANSCO Secretary-General Simpiwe Mguduso SANSCO President in 1984-85 Batandwa Ndondo Leo Marquard – first president of NUSAS John Shingler - NUSAS Adrian Leftwich - NUSAS Maeder Osler - NUSAS Ian Robertson - NUSAS Ambrose Makiwane Dumisani Mbatha Deliza Mji – SASO President Super Moloi nephew to Eliot Shabangu Solomon Mahlangu Jacob Mashabane Dumsani Mbatha William Tshimong Barney Makhatle Cedric Mayson Nana Mahomo Mosima “Tokyo” Sexwale Poppy Buthelezi

Key adult supporters included:

Drake Koka Beyers Naude Winnie Mandela Manas Buthelezi Nthato Motlana Curtis Nkondo Tom Manthata Lekgau Mathabathe Bishop Desmond Tutu

Key journalists included:

Duma Ndlovu

ANC Leaders who established contacts with Soweto Student Leadership:

Eliot Shabangu Joe Gqabi Martin Ramokgadi Drake Koka – BAWU assisted SSRC Naledi Tsiki Paul Langa Petrus Nchabeleng