Hector Pieterson
South African activist / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hector Pieterson (19 August 1963 - 16 June 1976) was a Black South African activist. He was shot and killed by police firing directly at him. [1] He protested against laws requiring the Afrikaans and English language to be taught in majority-Black primary and secondary schools together with other Black students. [2]
He, and other Black students, were reminded of their Dutch colonial oppressors by Afrikaans. Besides, they wanted to learn Xhosa and Zulu like other Black children. [3]
His death was recorded by photographer Sam Nzima on 16 June 1976. This image was flashed worldwide and represented the resistance against apartheid. 16 June is now commemorated as Youth Day in South Africa. [4]