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Hugeaux aka Hugo R. Miller is an artist/photographer living in the USA.

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SHARPEVILLE RIOTS 2012
(The only written and photographed eye witnessed account of the beginning of the Sharpeville Riots March 20, 2012)
Written by Hugeaux aka Hugo R. Miller
Photography by Hugeaux aka Hugo R. Miller

Hugeaux, About my witnessing
I arrive in Sharpeville on the morning of the protest around 10:00am, March 20, 2012. No media was in the area, due to fear. At the Vereeninging train station we told that there were riots in Sharpeville and you could enter at your own risk. I was the only photographer in the area early that morning. This is why these images and text are very rare and historic. This is the ONLY LIVE written documented account of the beginning of the Sharpeville Riots on March 20, 2012. Other media began to come many hours later when they knew the area was safe. It started with THE YOUTH.


The Day THE YOUTH Rose……Again
March 21, 1960 and March 20, 2012

The Sharpeville Riots was a civil unrest in one of the oldest of six townships in the Vaal Triangle of Vereeninging, South Africa on March 20 to March 21, 2012. The two-day riot was the results of approximately 70 arrested, but no deaths, thousands of dollars (rand) in commercial property damages, but local businesses were not disturbed. It was one of the most severe riots in the township other than the Sharpeville Massacre which took place in the 1960’s (Internet search engine search: The Sharpeville Massacre)

On the eve of the annual Human Rights Celebration, which is held as a pilgrimage memorial in Sharpeville to commemorate the citizens who perished during the Sharpeville Massacre, the government decided to notify the community of Sharpeville at the last minute that it was changing the Human Rights Celebration from Sharpeville to Klipton, SOWETO, 2-hours travel time away.. Much speculation was brewing as the residents of Sharpeville began to notice why the community was not preparing for the celebration in advance, as were normally done in the past. Sharpeville would usually take weeks / months to beautify the community, with public cleanings, banners and grounds preparation, etc. However this year, it left the community wondering “why” were these things taking so long. Many relied on patience thinking that the government officials had something special in mind. However what the officials had in mind would cause an explosion…The Riots!!!

As with the 1960 Sharpeville Protest, the youth of the 2012 Sharpeville protestors took to the helms of their ancestors, first. Many saw this as a political motive, with many tourism rand (dollars) leaving Sharpeville and savoring the coffer of the SOWETO community. It is noted that many would pilgrimage from all over the continent of Africa and world to pay their respects to what some say was the Mecca for the destruction for Apartheid.

Survivors of the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre saw this as a DISREPSECT to them by the government. Many people believed that the government has turned its back on the people and the historic events of Sharpeville. Many believe that the roots of the Human Rights Celebration are in Sharpeville and must stay in Sharpeville. This is were the people died. Some believe that with the image power of SOWETO, that such a thing would never have happen in SOWETO, ie moving an event from SOWETO to Sharpeville. This began the Sharpeville slogan protest cry “Why SOWETO ?” The youth posed a huge protest. As the youth saw that the government showed a disrespect for the people of Sharpeville, they too would return the favor.

The youth graffitied the South African historical landmark monument: The Sharpeville Garden of Remembrance in The Sharpeville Human Rights Precinct adjacent to the historic police station were the 1960 massacre occurred with the words “Why Soweto” and “Nomvula you have failed Sharpeville once again” Nomvula Mokonyane is the Premier of Gauteng province, South Africa.

The police arrived as the youth protestors began to grow. There were many groups of youth taking counsel amongst themselves to see what their next move would be. “Burn Baby Burn!!!”, as the youth took tires and set them on fire at all intersections. They tossed huge boulders, tree trunks and stone to obstruct travel into Sharpeville. They place major sewage cement drain pipes to block the only entrance into Sharpeville. They manned their post at the entrance only allowing known residents and police to enter, but no service trucks or taxis. No building were set on fire, but the smoke from the burning tires were everywhere. The people were in the street celebrating and supporting the protestors.

The 1960 Sharpeville massacre survivors felt their youthfulness return as they saw this new generation of youth as where they were 52 years ago.. The police seemed to join in on the celebration but remain there to keep control, that the fires would not get out of control. When the youth protestors marched out of Sharpeville towards the major highway, the police turned them around, without force, as this could have cause a major civil problem. Many of the police agreed with the protestors, about this being a sign of Disrespect, but continued to try and keep this as a peaceful protest, however the youth were in full form.

You could see in the eyes of these youth protestors that it was the presence of the spirits of the youth ancestors who died On March 21, 1960,the Sharpeville Massacre…returning. They carried clubs, sticks, stones and their face made up in tribal war face. They were young, determine and powerful to set what was wrong to right. Many of the 1960 Sharpeville Massacre survivors were in wheelchair and can not make the trip to SOWETO. On the contrary some of the citizen believed that the youth were making a mistake by destroying their community grocery stores. But some believe that this is the only way to get the governments attention.

Schools were shutdown. Workers who worked outside of Sharpeville were told to return home as best as possible to check on their property. They were also told not to leave their home to go to work. Businesses closed their shops. All public and local transportation was canceled. Some taxis were allowed in the area, but were told that it was to their own risk. The Sharpeville South African historic landmark: The Phelindaba Cemetery, the sacred burial ground, where the ancestors are buried and where the pilgrimage would normally ends, which sits at the entrance to Sharpeville remain un-disturbed. With due respect the protestors did not disturb the resting sites of this sacred burial ground.

The other side if the equation: Tourism
The Human Right Celebration is the time of year when local Sharpeville residents set up vendors to make money from the tourists who come to the celebration. Some vendors wait all year to gear up for this event. The local revenue from the celebration is a good coffer, not only for the township of Sharpeville, but the local and personal vendors. This is a time when most of the Sharpeville household can boost their income. Some of the Sharpeville citizens rely on the Human Right Celebration to feed their families and have been using this venue for decades as a source of their livelihood. Big and small vendors await this celebration as they know much capital would be spent by tourist for these few days. Everything from food to souvenirs would be for sale.

Tourism is a major part of Sharpeville’s industry, but little is spoken on it. Bus tours arrive daily to see Sharpeville’s historical sites and landmarks. The tourists get out and visit Sharpeville and get souvenirs and refreshments for their visits. Cameras flashing, Sharpeville is a must see on the South African Sightseeing Tour and the community know this..

(CONTINUE TO PART #2)