Youth Day:the day Hector changed a Nation

As South Africa hosts the World Cup this summer, one as to remember the soweto

riots of 1976. Yesterday, June 16th, 2010 South Africa celebrated Youth Day which commemorates the 34th anniversary of the soweto riots. On June, 16 1976, fifteen thousand grade school students gathered in Soweto, to  protest  mandatory schooling in Afrikaans, the language of the white minority who had confined the blacks to townships under the horrible aparthied regime. The  youth of soweto pushed back against the unjust system in South Africa, without any guns or heavy armament. What seems to be  just another peace march for equality by school children marked the begining of the end for aparthied government. Hector Pieterson a 12

year old boywas one of the students that was killed that day by the aparthied police. The image of his limp body which you see on top of this page was seen all around the world. This image brought light to the injustice of this sinful system. God has a way of exposing darkness. In the face of danger this young people stood for justice and eventhough they tragically lost their lives, God used them. Young people since biblical times have cataylst for change in their communities. This is why we believe that God has called us to reach and disciple youth all around the world. Through the ministry of hip hope international; Nations Worship Ministries is able to reach young people like Hector Pieterson. Our prayer is that there will not have to be another  tragic loss like Hectors to bring change.

seyi Olagunju