​The Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development in the City of Johannesburg, Cllr Ronald Harris, was at the Hector Pieterson Museum to meet and welcome the US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, on behalf of the City on Sunday, 7 August 2022. Secretary Blinken is visiting South Africa as part of a three-nation tour of Africa with the aim of fostering closer relations between African countries and the United States. ​

 On arrival, Secretary Blinken was received by Hector Pieterson’s sister, Antoinette Sithole, who had a brief conversation with him before laying a wreath at the memorial site. They proceeded inside the museum where they were welcomed by the City of Johannesburg team.

Secretary Blinken signed the museum’s Visitor’s Book and wrote: “With gratitude for the inspiration – that we bring light in our history, that we understand the past need not be prolonged if we remember and take action to build a better future. Hector’s name and story are living history that will resonate far into the future.”

“It was an honour and pleasure to meet Secretary Blinken at one of the City’s well-run facilities. We trust his visit to South Africa will promote peace, harmony, and social cohesion,” said MMC Harris.

The City of Johannesburg contributes to the promotion and preserving of heritage sites such as Hector Pieterson Museum. The museum has hosted some of the most prominent people of our time. It is a repository of a rich history that changed the education system in South Africa.

Hector Pieterson was the first victims of police shootings during the 1976 Soweto students uprising.