Matabathe, Lekgali
(Director of the school in Africa, 1976) , speaking English:
- "The atmosphere was very tense, but low key as well. Most of the students did not even know, what exactly was going on. Of course there were exceptions, those who cooperated with undergraduates in the background. A few of them had ideas about what was happening, so on the surface everything seemed to be normal.
Though we felt that the students had already prepared the events of June 16th."
Matabathe, Lekgali
(Director of the school in Africa, 1976) , speaking English:
- "The educational system, created for the black population was about forcing them into a subordinated cue. They had to accept, that they got only the level of education, which was enough to serve their lord. And the lord was white."
Totsithole, Antoinette
(Sister of Hector Pietersen) , speaking English:
- "We saw the police, but we did not care about them. As we were walking, we saw them and we were singing. The whole thing was interesting for us. The protest had a pleasing atmosphere, we were really enthusiastic."
Totsithole, Antoinette
(Sister of Hector Pietersen) , speaking English:
- "I was scared. I thought they would kill us. We did not have guns. I was very annoyed and embarrassed, since I did not understand the situation. Why do they have to send their dogs on us, and why do they have to use weapons and tear-gas? It was very depressing, since we only wanted to protest peacefully. "
Totsithole, Antoinette
(Sister of Hector Pietersen) , speaking English:
- "My heart started to beat very fast. I was fluttering. The fear came upon me. I was fluttering. I did not understand, what happened. I saw, somebody was being carried then I went closer. And then I saw the forepart of the shoes. The shoes were Hectors. This meant he was Hector."
Totsithole, Antoinette
(Sister of Hector Pietersen) , speaking English:
- "When we reached the hospital, the doctors said, they could not do anything for him anymore. I only had to give them his personal details."
Nzyma, Sam
(Maker of the photo) , speaking English:
- "That picture was found to be the most expressive. All the newspapers put that picture onto their front pages – before the public could have banned it. The event happened at 10.15am, and the pictures were shown in TVs already at 3pm in the whole world. "
Matabathe, Lekgali
(Director of the school in Africa, 1976) , speaking English:
- "There were mortal victims. It was really painful. Especially, because a couple of students were butchered. It was very horrible, but that time, it seemed there was no ‚home journey‘. We had to keep on fighting.
"
Matabathe, Lekgali
(Director of the school in Africa, 1976) , speaking English:
- "Most of them finished off with the school and went into the opposition. Others left the country and went into voluntary exile. Some of them joined to the resistant junior service. A lot of people did so. Actually – most of the children left the country after 1976."
Totsithole, Antoinette
(Sister of Hector Pietersen) , speaking English:
- "Why all these had to happen? We did not want to fight against anyone. We were not in a war. We were just protesting. Just protesting. That’s why we didn’t even think that it could finish like this. "
Pietersen, Gladys
(Hector Pietersen’s mother) , speaking English:
- "He was an innocent victim. He wasn’t dealing with politics, as he was only 13 years old. He liked jokes. I don’t think he would have been able to do such things, or even lead this.
No, no, I don’t think so."
Matabathe, Lekgali
(Director of the school in Africa, 1976) , speaking English:
- "The discipline got loose, the children couldn’t be controlled, and as a result of it, it was impossible to teach. There was no serious education after 1976."
Totsithole, Antoinette
(Sister of Hector Pietersen) , speaking English:
- "Now, when most of the things are like we imagined, I think I have recovered. I don’t mourn anymore and I don’t even feel pain anymore."