Steve Biko Catalyst for change.
Bantu Biko was a South African man born on December 18 1946, and was brutally murdered in prison on September 12, 1977. Steven Biko was a martyr that will be remembered for years to come. Fifteen Thousand African’s showed up at his funeral along with representatives from thirteen Western States to share in the mourning of such a noble leader’s death. Biko was a husband, a friend, and a leader. This astounding leader had goals and ideas for the well being of the black community living under Apartheid that touched many black peoples’ lives. Donald Woods says, “He was the country’s most important political leader and certainly the greatest man I ever had the privilege to know”. His wife Wendy says, “We are honored to have been among the friends of a man born with unusual leadership qualities and an unrelenting dedication to the liberation of his people”.
Biko’s leadership abilities were signified in his involvement with different black activist groups. Six of the groups in which Biko was involved included: The Student’s Representative Council, National Union of South African Student’s, University Christian Movement, South African Student’s Organization, Black Community Program’s, and The Black Consciousness Movement. Biko was a leader in all of these groups, which represented his blessing of leadership.
Steven was the youngest child in the Biko family. His mother was a domestic servant for white folks around King Williams Town South Africa, and his father was a government-employed clerk who died when Steven was four. At an early age, Steven’s family stressed the importance of an education. Biko learned at an early age that to survive in South Africa, inflicted with Apartheid, that an education was critical. Steven began schooling at the age of six in 1952, and then went on to Lovedale High School in 1963. Despite Steven’s academic abilities, an expulsion occurred and continuing an education was not permitted. This expulsion occurred because Biko was an active member of multiple Black Consciousness organizations. Next, Biko continued medical training at The University of Natal for Medical School in 1966. However, Biko realized as these studies proceeded that a doctor in Apartheid South Africa would not help to integrate the whites and the blacks, but rather deepen the gap between the two groups. Steven decided to stop this education and become more involved with black organizations. This involvement would help to integrate the whites and the blacks, and to perhaps end the problems of oppression and Apartheid.
In 1977, Biko was the leader of the Black Community Program. A banning order was set, so leaving King William’s Town would be illegal. While traveling to Cape Town, Biko was stopped by white police officers. Because Steven was going against the banning order, the police took him under custody.
While in prison Biko was beaten with a hose, and then pushed into a wall. The police officers interrogating this noble leader began the beating because, “he tried to sit down while being questioned”. Bikos’ head was pushed into the wall with such force that, “head blows occurred, so severe that they shifted the inside of this brain”. Biko was found six days after the killing, naked, lying dead in his jail cell. After an intense investigation, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission believed, “Biko may have been poisoned along with being beaten”. The idea of this poisoning must be even more disturbing to Biko’s widow.
The officers that were involved in the death of this faithful leader were Harold Snyman, Siebert, Gidedit Niewoudt, Ruben Marx, and Johann. At first when questioned about this murder the police officers told the public, “There were no beatings or torture involved in his death”. Another statement by the police was, “Biko got a head injury when we had to restrain him after he went berserk”. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission required the police officers to make a confession of this brutal crime. Amnesty would be provided for the officers if truth were revealed. Recently the police confessed the truth. All of the police officers admitted to slamming his head against the wall, however full responsibility was not taken. As a result of Steve Biko’s death in 1977, all Black Consciousness Organizations were banned.
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission led by Nobel Peace prizewinner Desmond Tutu will hear the murderer’s testimony about the death of Biko. The Truth Commission states, “This will be the most high profile case yet”. The Truth Commission has a reputation of being too lenient with offenders of human rights. Because of this reputation, Mrs. Biko is praying that her husband’s case will be an exception. The hearing of the officers will be held in Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape of Africa.
The police officers have concluded that they will admit to this murder if no punishment is in order. There will be no charges because when the death occurred, Apartheid was intact in South Africa, so the blacks were treated unfairly, especially by police officers. The victims that are involved in the many deaths that occurred in prison have, “a feeling of betrayal, and denial of justice”. Mrs. Biko will not be satisfied with a simple apology from the men who killed her husband. Biko’s widow wants the police officers to receive full punishment for this brutal murder.
Steve Biko is remembered today for the hope and the inspiration he gave to all of South Africa. Many black people’s self images were suffering and Biko helped restore confidence. One of the many goals that Steven Biko strived for was, “To have a new attitude and new way of life that promoted black pride”. Steven believed that, “the black man’s main problem was the attitude of inferiority”. Biko believed that if black men thought more of themselves, white men would have a harder time going through with the harsh punishment of the blacks under the rule of Apartheid. Another belief was if black men united, the battle of oppression would be an easier battle. Biko said, “Black Consciousness is an attitude of mind, a way of life”. That portrayed the belief that oppression could be stopped if black men would unite as one and fight against the authority. Biko said that the black men should, “forge pride and unity amongst all the oppressed”. One point that Biko stressed to the black population was, “the most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed”.
In conclusion, Biko strived to change the feeling of inferiority, which was ever present in the minds of blacks. Donald Woods says, “I have the need to record a deep sense of loss at the death of this extraordinary man, who, at the age of thirty, had acquired such a towering stature in the minds and hearts of young black people throughout South Africa”. Biko’s memory and goals will be remembered by all for many years to come.
