Stephen Bantu (Steve) Biko 1946–1977
Leader in the Struggle Against Apartheid
On September 12, 1997, a bronze statue was unveiled in East London, a city in South Africa. The statue was of Steve Biko. The occasion was the twentieth anniversary of his death. Nelson Mandela spoke, calling Biko “one of the greatest sons of our nation.”
Born in Eastern Cape, Biko began working against apartheid as a student. He started a political organization called Black Peoples Convention. In articles and talks, he stressed the importance of black pride and unity. He urged blacks to look to themselves, not to whites, for liberation. Biko called this approach “black consciousness.” It drew many young people into the fight against apartheid, giving the movement new energy.
Biko was arrested several times in the 1970s for his political activism. In 1977, he died while in police custody. What many suspected was later shown to be true: Biko died because of a beating by police. His death raised an outcry among black South Africans and people around the world. Biko became a hero and a symbol of resistance to apartheid. Many black South Africans today see the black consciousness movement and Biko's death as turning points in their struggle for freedom.
Critical Thinking
What made Steve Biko “one of the greatest sons” of South Africa?