Keeping Jews in South Africa’s collective memory

Fifty years ago, on 16 June 1976, thousands of young people in Soweto rose up against injustice, marching for their right to a better education and a better future. 

To mark this historic anniversary, Danny Mofsowitz, Gauteng chairperson of the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD), and Gabi Farber Cohen, SAJBD political liaison, attended a commemorative ceremony hosted by the City of Johannesburg. 

They joined the family of Jewish anti-apartheid academic Dr Melville Edelstein, who was killed during the Soweto uprising. His daughters laid a wreath in his memory and in recognition of the sacrifices made by so many South Africans in the struggle for freedom. The moment also served as a reminder of the Jewish community’s contribution to the democracy we enjoy today. 

Later that morning, the SAJBD led a delegation of communal leaders and youth representatives from Habonim and the South African Union of Jewish Students to the national 50th anniversary commemoration of Youth Day. The Jewish South Africans stood alongside their fellow citizens in remembrance and reflection. 

Jews’ presence at such national commemorations is important, not only to honour those who came before them, but also to ensure that the contribution, sacrifices, and stories of the community remain an integral part of South Africa’s collective memory. 

By participating in these moments of national significance, the Jewish community reaffirms its commitment to a shared future and to building a stronger, more inclusive South Africa for generations to come.