Turning our history into opportunity

Sharpeville marked an unquestionable turning point in the liberation of South Africa on 21 March 1960 when 69 people lost their lives and 180 were injured while protesting against the Apartheid government's Pass Laws. This event marked a watershed in the history of our country. In 1966, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 21 as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

It is against this background, drawing a timeline between our past, present and future, that the role of "Sharpeville Day" or as it is now known "Human Rights Day", be recognised as one of the turning points in the history of the liberation struggle.

Simon Maphalla, empowerment manager at Emerald Casino Resort, believes that by supporting initiatives such as Sharpeville Revisited, it affords young entrepreneurs not only the opportunity to create employment for themselves and others, but it would serve a vital role in promoting tourism to the entire Vaal region: "The Sharpeville Revisited Project is not exclusively about the events of 1960, but aims to promote Sharpeville and the Vaal area as a tourist destination for both South Africans and international tourists to discover our rich South African history and highlight our future, and to attract further investment in the Sedibeng area.

The entrepreneurial team behind Sharpeville Revisited consists of Sharpeville youth Elliot Seobi, Lefentse Makoko, Zandile Matlhoko, Laura Motete - their start-up company, Ellzan Technologies, has a passion for the area and believes in a solid, bright future constructed on the foundation of history and supported by the pillars of reconciliation.

The website officially went live on 21 March 2005.