Steve Biko

Stephen Bantu Biko (December 18, 1946 - September 12 1977) was a noted anti-apartheid activist in South Africa in the 1960s. Because he was dissatisfied with the National Union of South African Students, he helped found the South African Students' Organisation in 1968 and elected its first president; in 1972 he became honorary president of the Black People's Convention. He was banned during the height of apartheid in March 1973, meaning that he was not allowed to speak to more than one person at a time and so could not make speeches in public. It was also forbidden to quote anything he said, including speeches or simple conversations.

On September 6, 1977 he was arrested at a police roadblock. He suffered a major head injury around September 6th while in police custody and was chained to a window grill for a full day. On September 11, police loaded him into the back of a car and began the 740-mile drive to another prison. He died en route. Police claimed his death was the result of an extended hunger strike.

On October 7, 2003, South African Justice Ministry officials announced that the five policemen who were accused of killing Biko would not be prosecuted because of insufficient evidence. They said a murder charge could not be supported partly because there were no witnesses to the killing. Charges of culpable homicide and assault were also considered, but because the killing occurred in 1977, the time frame for prosecution had expired. [1]

Table of contents

1 References in the arts:
2 Quote
3 External links:

References in the arts:

Steel Pulse released the song "Biko's kindred lament" on their 1979 album "Tribute to the martyrs".
In 1980 Peter Gabriel released "Biko", a song protesting against Biko's death.
In 1987 Richard Attenborough directed the movie Cry Freedom, a biographical drama about Biko. Gabriel's song was included in the film's soundtrack.
In there is a starship named USS Biko.
On the A Tribe Called Quest album Midnight Marauders is the song "Steve Biko (Stir It Up)."

Quote

In time, we shall be in a position to bestow on South Africa the greatest possible gift - a more human face.