EDITOR- June 16. A day to commemorate the role played by the youth in standing against the oppressive apartheid regime. Let us hold them high – the martyrs of the struggle – Hector Pieterson and all those who were killed by police fire and even those stoned to death in the violence.
Let us remember them all, but let us not forget that other hero, who seems always to be overlooked, namely, the press – that invisible hero, who broke this story to the world. The apartheid government had tried everything to muzzle the press. Threats and censorship, bannings and legal action under their ‘emergency’ laws and ‘secrecy’ bills, but brave journalists, photographers and editors continued to do their work despite these attempts to silence them. If they hadn’t pursued the truth, the world would never have known of this particular event in quite the same way.
So, I would suggest that from now on, every June 16 celebration holds high the role of the press in its fight to reveal truth. I think the current ANC government would do well to remember just how important the press was in the struggle against apartheid. It can be argued that it was the relentless and constant pressure from the press, both local and international, which brought the regime to its knees, not any military threat from uMkonto weSizwe.
Conscientious journalists and activists kept the world informed of the political truth in South Africa, in the belief that through the revelation of truth, justice would be served.
Rick Andrew
Glenwood
