June 16
June 16 1976, the Soweto Uprising. A time of great turmoil and riots in South Africa as students protested against the introduction of Afrikaans as the language of instruction in local schools. Police shot and killed at least 700 people during these riots and in remembrance of the students June 16 is a public holiday in South Africa known as Youth Day. Every year i would take to the streets and collaborate with the public.
June 16-Bree Street Taxi Rank
These photos are from the Bree Street Taxi rank in Johannesburg in 2017. Armed with silk screening materials, we hit the streets and printed hundreds of small patches onto canvas that read Humanity, Family, and Community— values we as a team decided were necessary to the time. We handed out the patches to people walking by and many of the people held the patches over their hearts. Many of the passing elders told us stories of their experiences and many of the youth wanted to get involved.
June 16 - Zine
A collaborative Zine from Wang’ Thola collective. Participants looking at the ripple effect of 1976 and the zines were donated to the Artist Proof Studio Library.
June 16 - Cosmo City
Wang’ Thola Collective member Lebohang Motaung educating the youth about June 16 in Cosmo City. Using a roll of industrial printer paper accompanied by crayons and sharpies, the children drew their interpretation of June 16. These drawings became a zine booklet that was donated to the local libraries and schools.