16 JUNE 50 YEARS LATER: The arts shaped SA’s revolution by giving a voice to the people (opens original article in a new tab)

The 16 June 1976 Soweto uprising highlighted the role of arts and culture in South Africa's anti-apartheid resistance, with artists and poets shaping the movement's message and legacy.

• The 16 June 1976 Soweto uprising marked a turning point in South Africa's resistance to apartheid, with arts and culture playing a central role in spreading resistance.
• Black artists, poets, and performers like Mafika Pascal Gwala and Steve Biko used their work to challenge apartheid, despite state repression and exile.
• The legacy of the black consciousness movement influenced generations of South African artists, contributing to a thriving but underfunded cultural sector.