The New Heritage Theatre Group Commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the Soweto Uprising and "Sarafina"

The Soweto Student Uprising began on June 16, 1976, when thousands of Black school students in Soweto, South Africa, organized a peaceful protest against apartheid-era education policies—especially the forced use of Afrikaans as a language of instruction in Black schools. What started as a student march became one of the defining moments of resistance to apartheid after police opened fire on demonstrators. Images from that day, especially the photograph of wounded student Hector Pieterson being carried through the streets, circulated globally and transformed international understanding of apartheid’s violence. The uprising became a turning point that energized youth activism and intensified both domestic and international pressure against the apartheid regime.

Sarafina! which was first created as a stage musical and later adapted into the 1992 film translates that historical moment into art. Set in Soweto during apartheid, it follows students led by the fictional Sarafina as they confront injustice, discover political consciousness, and wrestle with fear, hope, and resistance. Rather than functioning as a documentary, Sarafina! captures the emotional and cultural reality of young people living through the era, using music, dance, and classroom life to express the energy and cost of student activism.

On Tuesday, June 16, 2026, the New Heritage Theater commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Soweto Uprising with "Soweto 50: We R The Future". This anniversary is significant to the Harlem theatre's history as in 1988 Voza Rivers brought the student cast of the acclaimed South African musical Sarafina! to the United States in 1988. Rivers served as the associate producer of the Broadway production, which featured a young group of actors portraying students involved in the historic 1976 Soweto uprising.

The Harlem, New York celebrations span two main venues and include commemorative talks, choir performances, and film screenings.

Event Schedule & Venues

1. Opening Ceremony & Commemoration

• Date: Tuesday, June 16
• Time: 9:15 AM – 11:00 AM (Doors open at 8:30 AM)
• Location: Abyssinian Baptist Church, 138 Odell Clark Place, New York, NY
• Features: Gospel selections by the Abyssinian Baptist Church Choir, guest speakers, and community tributes honoring the youth who marched in 1976.

2. Evening Program & Film Screening

• Date: Tuesday, June 16
• Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Location: Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, 515 Malcolm X Blvd, New York, NY
• Features: Talk and commemoration featuring Voza Rivers, alongside a special screening of the documentary "Voices of Sarafina!" and guest appearances.

Ticketing & Information

• Tickets: The morning ceremony at Abyssinian Baptist Church is free, though RSVPs are required. Tickets for the Schomburg Center event can be found on Eventbrite.