Tribute: Steven Biko 1964-1977: By Nompilo Mkhwanazi

Steve Biko spearheaded the Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa. He died in 1977, from injuries sustained while in police custody.


Gone too soon but will never be forgotten, yes our hero Steve Bantu Biko will forever be in our memories to prove this we have Steve Biko day.  If you know the South African history well then you would know that Steve Biko was famous for Black Consciousness Movement BCM.  The Black Consciousness Movement in South Africa is best known for its founder Biko.  Since the begging till the end or the of Biko’s political life he remains one of the best icons in apartheid struggle.

During the struggle Biko gave South Africans hope for a better future, he never gave up and he fought for what he believed to be right.  “The greatest weapon in the hand of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed” Stve biko, this one of his famous quote that motivated him and his peers during the struggle.  Biko gave students something to protest about unlike the youth of today and the SRC’s of today there for he will forever be a hero.  Not only will he be just a hero of South African liberation struggle but a true leader of resistance against oppression, with his memories praised in books and films.

It is sad that many of the youth and even old generation of South Africa are not aware of such day but when it comes to Mandela day we all aware.  However the point here is that we need to recognise other heroes who part of the freedom we have even though they died before seeing the freedom we now have.  Children still need to be educated of great people like Steve Biko how they contributed to what we have today and to just let their memories live in us and be praised.

The 12 of September 2014 marked 37^th anniversary of the murder of Steve Biko and that makes this day to be a Steve Biko day.  Even though his death remains as controversial issue his actions forever be in our hearts.  Steve Biko day is a day to reminisce on him and his good work he did for South Africa.  This day should be planted in South African minds and let it be well known not just an undercover day, long live Steve Bantu Biko.