STEVE BIKO: Human Rights Fight in South Africa

 Writer: Paola Carrera H.

"It becomes more necessary to see the truth as it is if you realize that the only vehicle for change are these people who have lost their personality. The first step therefore is to make the black man come to himself; to pump back life into his empty shell; to infuse him with pride and dignity, to remind him of his complicity in the crime of allowing himself to be misused and therefore letting evil reign supreme in the country of his birth."

Steve Biko

How many people in the world are crying for freedom? How many people are suffering because liberty, their liberty, has seemed to be vanished? How many people are victim of our “perfect” system? And how many keep silent because they are afraid to speak? They are afraid because they don't know their rights. 

This copy from
The Daily Dispatch archives

Steve Biko was a black political leader, banned, who fought for black freedom in South Africa. He believed on a non violence fight in order to achieve a better life for his people, equal races and white men helping black ones; a fight against the government of South Africa. Media played an important role during these events. The newspaper "Daily Dispatch" published a news regarding mistreating to black people, and the newspaper editor hired two black reporters. Unfortunately all the articles, supporting black people, published on the ‘Daily Dispatch’ and written by black reporters, led into a battle with the government and the security police. The newspaper was closed, its editor was banned  and the government committed even more abuses and injustices against South African people. Media can play an important role in social fights, as they are able to spread information all over and has a convening power. Even though Bikos words could not be published in media, his ideas were transmitted orally. His speeches were heard by hundreds of people, he promoted ideas of equality, justice, freedom, rights for South Africans. 

Biko's family at his funeral

On more than one occasion he was arrested, interrogated and subjected to physical violence, but he never gave up. Finally, the 11th of September 1977, an unforgettable day for South Africans, Steve Biko was murdered. This black politician left a legacy and his life was not in vain. The power and sincerity of his words encouraged many people to continue with his fight. The movement founded by him in 1968, "Black Consciousness Movement", achieved many positive and significant changes in South Africa. Currently "Steve Biko Foundation" was created in honor of this great man, and is responsible of promoting the reinforcement of identity, culture and values, intensifying its efforts to strengthen democracy. 

He returned faith and hope to his people. Steve Biko is a hero, who gave his live fighting for his dreams, dreams of justice, liberty and equal conditions for black people.  Oppressive and violent regimes might frighten their citizens and keep them silent, but when people speak their voices out there able to accomplish big things in society. It is thank to people like Steve Biko that human rights have developed through time.

For Steve Bikos Videos Click Here

"Cry Freedom"; John Briley, Oxford University Press 2006.