On 18 December 2023, we mark what would have been Steve Biko’s posthumous birthday.
Steve Biko birthday: Remembering the life and death of a black consciousness martyr
Steve Biko, a prominent anti-apartheid activist in South Africa, left an indelible mark on the country’s history.
His death in 1977, while in police custody, remains a pivotal moment in South Africa’s struggle against apartheid. As we remember his life and legacy, it’s also important to revisit the circumstances of his death.
Born on 18 December 1946, Biko rose to prominence as a leader and a voice for the Black Consciousness Movement. His ideas and writings challenged the apartheid regime’s policies and inspired a generation to stand up against racial discrimination and oppression.
Biko’s activism made him a target for the apartheid government, leading to multiple arrests and restrictions on his movements.
The events leading to Biko’s death began in August 1977, when he was detained by the Eastern Cape security police under the Terrorism Act.
No trial was held, and no formal charges were brought against him. While in custody, Biko was subjected to brutal interrogation and torture.
The exact circumstances of his death were initially shrouded in secrecy and misinformation. The apartheid government claimed that Biko had died as a result of a hunger strike.
However, the truth was far more sinister. Biko had suffered severe brain injuries due to the beatings he received while in detention. His condition worsened, and instead of receiving proper medical care, he was transported nearly 1 200 kilometres to Pretoria, where he died alone in a prison cell on 12 September 1977.
The outcry following Biko’s death was immense, both domestically and internationally. It brought renewed attention to the brutalities of the apartheid regime and the plight of political prisoners in South Africa.
An inquest in 1978 found that no one was to blame for Biko’s death. However, the truth was eventually brought to light.
In 1997, during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), five former members of the South African security forces admitted to killing Biko.
Despite these admissions, no one was ever criminally charged for Biko’s death. This lack of accountability remains a contentious issue in South Africa’s journey to reconcile its past.
Today, Steve Biko is remembered not only for the way he died but more importantly for the powerful legacy he left behind.
His ideas on Black Consciousness and the struggle for a just and equal society continue to inspire.