South Africa commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Soweto uprising, a pivotal moment in the anti-apartheid struggle. On June 16, 1976, thousands of Black students marched peacefully against the apartheid regime's language policy, only to be met by police dogs and live ammunition. The iconic image of dying 12-year-old Hector Pieterson galvanized global outrage.

While the uprising helped pave the way for democracy in 1994, today's South Africa is grappling with deep-seated crises. President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledged that young people face a different challenge: finding their place in a closed economy. The country remains the most unequal in the world, with Black households earning a fraction of white households.

Youth unemployment stands at 60%, poverty and crime are rampant, and infrastructure is crumbling. Recent weeks have seen violent attacks on African migrants, with hundreds evacuated by their home countries. At least two Nigerians and seven Mozambicans have been killed in what many call xenophobic attacks.

Activist Irfaan Mangera says young South Africans' frustration is justified, as they have lost faith in institutions. He is involved in poverty alleviation and voter education projects, aiming to restore belief in democracy.

Source: www.aljazeera.com