Arts, Culture & Heritage
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Blue Plaque Sites

Phefeni Junior Secondary School

Table of Contents

About Phefeni Junior Secondary School

Part of a special series of plaques in Soweto to mark sites along the trail of the 16 June 1976 student uprising. Damaged plaque replaced in March 2024

Address

7340 Vilakazi Street, Orlando West, Soweto
2012

Inscription

In May 1976 learners at Phefeni Junior began boycotting classes in protest at the imposition of Afrikaans as amedium of instruction. Protests spread to Belle Primary, Thulasizwe Higher Primary, Emthonjeni and Khulangolwazi Higher Primary School. On June 16 all schools were to pass via Phefeni Junior en route to the destination of the march. It was near Phefeni Junior that police vegan shooting and using teargas against students

Photo courtesy: Kabelo Mokoena (Sunday Times)

Explore Joburg

A culmination of research gathered over many years, the Online Johannesburg Heritage Register is being launched on Nelson Mandela Day 18 July 2025.

Among the many heritage sites featured is Chancellor House, the downtown offices of Mandela and Tambo Attorneys in the 1950s. After having been vacant and shuttered for more than a decade, this iconic building is being revived and brought to life once again as offices for the Community Development Department, which oversees the City’s Arts, Culture & Heritage Services.

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