@LeboPita
The 12th of September marks the 34th anniversary of the death of Steve Bantu Biko while in police custody. Biko’s ideas emancipated black people from the chains of oppression in the 1970s when apartheid was at its peak.
In honour of Biko and the Black Consciousness Movement, I rewrite this essay that I wrote in my history final examination in matric.
The 1960s saw little participation of black people in politics because many of the struggle icons were in detention at Robben Island and political parties were all banned. The only way for black people to engage in politics was through the National Union of South African Students (NUSAS). NUSAS was an “anti-apartheid” organisation that operated in liberal English speaking universities with the majority being white students. Subsequently, black students felt marganalised
within NUSAS and decided to leave the organisation. Steve Biko co-founded the South African Students Organisation (SASO) which catered for only black students in 1968, a body from which the Black Consciousness Movement emerged. Biko said the reason for the formation of SASO was that “blacks are standing at the touchlines to witness a game that they should be playing. They want to do things for themselves and all by themselves.”
within NUSAS and decided to leave the organisation. Steve Biko co-founded the South African Students Organisation (SASO) which catered for only black students in 1968, a body from which the Black Consciousness Movement emerged. Biko said the reason for the formation of SASO was that “blacks are standing at the touchlines to witness a game that they should be playing. They want to do things for themselves and all by themselves.”
Black Consciousness was a philosophy by Steve Biko in which he urged black people to free themselves from the chains of oppression and for all blacks to work towards liberation. Biko said “the basic tenet of Black Consciousness (BC) is that the black man must reject all value systems that seek to make him a foreigner in the country of his birth and reduce his basic human dignity.” The BC gave blacks a new sense of belief as it opened the way for blacks to remove their feeling of fear and inferiority and help each other gain freedom.
The Black Consciousness was an attitude of mind and a way of life and it condemned the idea that blacks be made foreigners in their own land. It told the oppressed to stop depending on the oppressors thus it poured in a new sense of belief in blacks and rejuvenated the liberation struggle.
The Black Consciousness was an attitude of mind and a way of life and it condemned the idea that blacks be made foreigners in their own land. It told the oppressed to stop depending on the oppressors thus it poured in a new sense of belief in blacks and rejuvenated the liberation struggle.
Steve Biko was influenced by the writings of the first president of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL), Anton Lembende and the Black Power Movement in the United States of America. In particular the ideas of Malcolm X and the actions of the Black Panthers that stood proud of being black. Biko said to black people, “Black man you are on your own.” He told all black South African to take responsibility for their own struggle and not depend on white liberals.
In order to do this, he believed that they needed to regain their confidence and free themselves from the chains of oppression. He hated the term non-white because he believed that black people really wanted to be white but they couldn’t because of the colour of their skin. Biko said “being black is not a matter of pigmentation-being black is a reflection of a mental attitude.” His ideas were highly appreciated because their inferiority and fear was replaced by a new courage.
In order to do this, he believed that they needed to regain their confidence and free themselves from the chains of oppression. He hated the term non-white because he believed that black people really wanted to be white but they couldn’t because of the colour of their skin. Biko said “being black is not a matter of pigmentation-being black is a reflection of a mental attitude.” His ideas were highly appreciated because their inferiority and fear was replaced by a new courage.
Black Consciousness ideas were put into action when Steve Biko set up Black Community Programmes in which blacks worked without whites' assistance. A clinic known as Zanempilo Community Health Clinic was established in Grahamstown and it was operated by blacks and run by a black doctor, Dr Mamphele Ramphele.
Biko set up the Black People’s Convention in 1972 to give expression to the ideas of BC in forms of African dances and poetry. He also formed the Black Allied Workers Union that motivated black labourers to fight for their rights. These programmes conscientised black people and made them believe that they can do a lot better without whites' assistance.
Biko set up the Black People’s Convention in 1972 to give expression to the ideas of BC in forms of African dances and poetry. He also formed the Black Allied Workers Union that motivated black labourers to fight for their rights. These programmes conscientised black people and made them believe that they can do a lot better without whites' assistance.
The message passed by the Black Consciousness really inspired the youth and the results were seen in the events of 16 June 1976 Soweto Uprisings. The youth of Soweto was filled with self confidence and a determination and ability to address their own harsh circumstances.
Students were protesting against the harsh conditions they were taught under and the use of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction within all schools in South Africa. Their teachers were university drop-outs so they influenced all students to take action against their marginalisation. The events of June 1976 stirred the fight against apartheid and soon many other schools in the country followed with endless protests.
Students were protesting against the harsh conditions they were taught under and the use of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction within all schools in South Africa. Their teachers were university drop-outs so they influenced all students to take action against their marginalisation. The events of June 1976 stirred the fight against apartheid and soon many other schools in the country followed with endless protests.
Due to the unrest in the country, Steve Biko was detained and he died in police custody on the 12th of September 1977, becoming the forty-first person to die while in custody.
The minister of police Jimmy Kruger was quoted saying “Biko’s death leaves me cold.”
· Information from sahistyoryonline and the new generation history textbook
photos taken from google
