Steve Biko 40 years on…

Today marks the 40th anniversary of Steve Biko’s death. An important date in the hearts and minds of South Africans.

Steve was the founder of the Black Consciousness Movement, which emerged from the South African Students Association.

He was arrested and imprisoned in Port Elizabeth in August, 1977, under the Treason Act. While there, he was tortured over a period of time which resulted in a brain hemorrhage. He later died in September of that same year.

He had been savagely beaten, kept naked and chained. Failed by doctors who conspired with the security police, he was transported to Pretoria despite being seriously ill from the beatings. His death caused outrage locally and abroad.

Leading politicians hailed Biko as a symbol of the fight against racial oppression in South Africa, which at the time of his killing was under white minority. President Zuma said Steve Biko’s leadership and ideals inspired not only South African liberation struggle activists in South Africa, but also many leaders and activists across the continent and the world, who pursued an anti-racist, anti-colonial and anti-imperialist agenda.

The world has also honored Biko in many ways, including the song Biko by British musician Peter Gabriel, and the movie Cry Freedom, where actor Denzel Washington starred as Biko.

“Steve Biko suffered great abuse, harassment and torture over a period of time and paid the supreme price for the liberation of black people from oppression and bondage. We shall always remember his sacrifice and contribution. We also thank the international community for honoring this great man and patriot in various ways,” President Zuma said.

In 2008, the government renamed the Pretoria Academic Hospital as Steve Biko Academic Hospital.

South Africa is here today because of the ultimate sacrifice Steve Biko made in making the country a better place.