16 June 1976.

Every year, around this time, people will ask. Where were you Ka June 16. Well, let me give you my unsolicited answer.

I was a standard 5 student at Teboho higher primary in White City and on the day, we were writing our midterm exams. Mr Takalo was our head master at the time. Remind me to tell you a story or two about my beloved headmaster.

 The subject was Geography. We were disturbed by students who were congregated by elderly students from Morris Isaacson where it all started. We ran out of class and joined the march. We, that is me and my friend Theophilus Motsepe, followed the march up until where Hector Peterson was shot. Yes we were young , however, not running aimlessly. We were in the company of Tshike, Theo's elder brother who was also a student at Morris Isaacson at the time. He told us the reason why were we behaving in a manner that would berate most parents. So, we were clued up. The singing and the songs were like a drug. Inyaope nogal. They surged us on and on and on. And on and on we marched.

When the march progressed, we did not only witness the shooting of HP, we also witnessed the killing of one white Dr who ran practice close to  duba-duba ko Dube. As my mother puts it...."This one could have also died if it were not for Bra Sam." Yes, Sam Nzima. The same one that captured the famous HP picture. Amidst the confusion that followed HP,s shooting, he recognized me ( son of his colleague and friend Lucas Molete) and bundled me into his car and we drove out of that mayhem.

it was indeed a sad day for South Africa....but on a lighter note...sadla amagwinya namachips ase Duba-Duba mahala that day.

So stop asking me about my whereabouts that day, I know where I was.