The Black Consciousness Movement heavily supported the protests against the policies of the apartheid regime which led to the Soweto uprising in June 1976 . The protests began when it was decreed that black students be forced to learn Afrikaans , and that many secondary school classes were to be taught in that language . This was another encroachment against the black population , which generally spoke indigenous languages like Zulu and Xhosa at home , and saw English as offering more prospects for mobility and economic self-sufficiency than did Afrikaans . And the notion that Afrikaans was to define the national identity stood directly against the BCM principle of the development of a unique black identity . The protest began as a non-violent demonstration before police responded violently . The protest devolved into a riot . 176 people died mostly killed by the security forces needs verification
Soweto uprising
Soweto uprising
Black Consciousness Movement