hector pieterson memorial

Connoisseur-of-Life

This is not a happy stop on any tour of Soweto but I am old enough to remember the photo that went around the world. Not to be missed if you want to understand South Africa’s recent past. The immediacy of the actual site of the shooting really drives home the tragedy.

Karrst

Just a short walk from the Museum the memorial is not to be missed. there is some how a tranquility about standing in front of the memorial, with the hustle and bustle of Soweto going on around you. Our guide was only interested in getting us into the museum, if it was not foe having to wait for the rest of our group we may have missed it.

marivillela

In front of Hector Pieterson Museum you will find this memorial, with a great symbology of what had happened around those streets. Really emotional.

Roara74

We visited as a part of a Soweto, Red City Bus Tour. The taxi/bus guide then passed us over to a local guide who was seriously excellent as it gave us a better understanding of the exact spot where we were and how it fit's with the turbulent times of the past and how things have changed. Really enjoyed it.

189tracyk

We drove around Soweto with our guide -- born and raised there and still a resident -- and learned so much about its past and its present. Something that we would highly recommend! Our images of Soweto are negative ones often but to see the bustling -- and extensive -- community is eye-opening! You can visit the Mandela home as well as the current residence of Bishop Desmond Tutu also. The Hector Pieterson Memorial was our last stop and we were very glad we made the time. We did not remember the anti-Afrikaans language uprising and learning about the events tied to the student opposition to forcible teaching of the hated language was all new to us. Hector was killed during the opening salvo of the uprising and his story is beautifully and emotionally told here. So by all means go to the memorial -- but also drive around Soweto to see the vibrancy of the community and its people today

jaime_mccafferty

My friend and I went on a bicycle tour ride through Soweto and learnt about Hector Pieterson and his memorial. So much history in Soweto and what a special way to honour such a brave boy.

crawfoc99

Brought chills and goose bumps. I was the same age as Hector Pieterson. How different things might have been if my family had settled in South Africa.Needs at least an hour to see indepth.

brisvegas_ac

There is a lot to read, mostly first hand accounts, which makes it very real. Take your time and soak it all in. It is less shocking than the Apartheid museum but there are moments of "I can't believe that happened" where you may need to take a little breather. It is possible to walk here from Vilakazi st and the Mandela house. If you aren't on a tour that is. I went with friends, including a local Sowetan who gave us her anecdotes of what occurred. This was very powerful, so in looking for a guide I'd suggest finding a local Sowetan (not just local to Joburg) if you can.

kathyj2014

Lots to read video's to watch these remind us of the troubles the country has endured from loss of life of sons brothers fathers and those who disappeared without traceTHEIR STRUGGLES MUST NEVER BE FORGOTTEN

Rita056

Spent a good while here. well worth a visit. you get a good feel of the era and the reading is very interesting and disturbing at the same time.

BeckyFjellandDavis

Only a heartless person can't be touched seeing this memorial to the Soweto school children. The Soweto students marched in protest to school being taught in Afrikaans, but ended up being fired upon in the street when they refused to disband. It's horrifying but also a testament to strength and determination.

trainfan2000

The memorial, a couple of blocks from the Hector Pieterson Museum, was erected a few meters from where Hector Pieterson, a young school boy, was shot during what was supposed to be a peaceful protest by school children. The photograph of the dying child became an icon of the apartheid protest. This memorial was erected to preserve the memory of Hector and that day in the history of South Africa. The memorial is organized in such a way as to allow for reflection of the event.

svetb

Nothing more. The really good stuff is in the museum, where you'll learn about what happend and what's the statue about.

SaxonLodge

The memorial is really worth visiting if you grew up in South Africa in the 70s and more especially if you were in Johannesburg. The riots in 1976 were triggered by the wish of one group to subjugate another. The platform was education. The greatest sadness, as far as I am concerned, is that we as a country don't seem to have learned from this and that the education system for the average South African is still sub par.

379laurens379

A wonderful tribute to a very brave young man. Really worth making the trip, reading the story and seeing the picture. Its a very peaceful area and there are benches that you can sit on. A really nice place to just sit down, take it all in and reflect on how far South Africa has come