The school students' demonstration which was fired on by the police was the latest and largest manifestation of protest against the compulsory use of Afrikaans in African secondary schools - protest which had been building up over several weeks.
African children in primary school are taught in their mother tongue - Tswana, Zulu etc - but at the secondary level must change to instruction half in English half in Afrikaans - both effectively foreign languages. This obstructs learning and in addition Afrikaans is hated as the language of apartheid and oppression. When this issue is added to the resentments already felt by Africans over the lack of school places for their children, the high cost of their education (free for whites) and the inferior nature of 'Bantu Education' in general, it is hardly surprising that it should prove explosive.
Earlier this year the Department of Bantu Education announced its intention to enforce science and history teaching in Afrikaans in Soweto schools.
Coincidentally the re-organisation of the primary/secondary transfer meant that younger children would be subjected to the language problem, and would also face more than usually acute overcrowding.
In February several black school board members elected by the parents were dismissed because they opposed compulsory Afrikaans. In April three Soweto headmasters were sacked, apparently for the same reason. Pupils began boycutting classes and holding meetings.
On 17 May students at Orlando West Junior Secondary went on strike and attacked the principal's office in protest against being taught in Afrikaans. Students from three other schools - about 1600 pupils - came out in sympathy. On 24 May staff arriving at Pimville school found Afrikaans text books piled on the floor and slogans on every door.
Many protests and representations to the authorities were made by those involved in African education in Soweto, who warned that the hostility aroused by Afrikaans might lead to serious trouble in schools. Their requests that the policy be abandoned or modified were met with refusals. Two days before the shooting Leonard Mosala of the Urban Bantu Council warned of the possibility of 'another Sharpeville' and the Council asked for a meeting with the Minister.
By the beginning of June six schools were on strike and violent incidents began to occur. Police were stoned at Pimville school and at Nahleli High School where a police car was also set on fire. Exams to be written in Afrikaans were boycotted. By 16 June, when the first major demonstration was called, over 2,000 students were out.
