Steve Biko
"The most potent weapon in the hands of the oppressor is the mind of the oppressed."
-Steve Biko
Stephen Bantu Biko was born in a poor area of South Africa during the time of apartheid. He was a very smart man and studied at several prestigious schools. He was very involved in the anti-apartheid movement from a young age and was even kicked out of some schools for his ideas. As a young black man, life was very hard for him, Biko lived during a time when white people had all the power in South Africa. He was a well educated man and he knew that the only way he would ever benefit from his education would be if the Apartheid Regime was not in existence. He was becoming a leader in the Anti-Apartheid Movement towards the end of the his time in high school. He had created several groups to get students more representation which were now beginning to play a big role in fighting the Apartheid Regime. As Mandela went into jail, people began seeing that there would be no one to lead the Anti-Apartheid Regime. Biko saw this as an opportunity to gain more support. During the time Mandela was in prison, Biko became a very important figure, and was able to complete some things that Mandela had not completed during his young life. He helped students get to where they wanted during Apartheid and did things that upset the government.He was often trying to hide from the government to avoid the risk of getting killed. Biko was arrested many times and often held in prison for months, and he was one of the most wanted people by the South African government. And finally in late 1977 when Biko was captured and later killed, by then, he had become a hero.
During his time fighting against apartheid, he created several different groups to help young students like himself fight apartheid. He was arrested and imprisoned many times for leading groups against the government many times. Some of these groups were The Black People’s Convention, The South African Students’ Organization, and The Zimele Trust Fund. He helped many families who also were helping to fight against Apartheid.During his time studying, Biko helped give students a lot of representation in the anti-apartheid movement. Even though he knew he would be arrested for doing this, Biko still fought for freedom. Biko fought with people like Nelson Mandela, O.R. Tambo, and Joe Slovo. Even though all of these other people are heard of more often, Biko still made a big difference just like them. Eventually when he died in 1977, many other people took his place. Biko might of lived a short life but he still made a difference and helped fight against Apartheid. He inspired people to help fight against apartheid no matter how old they were. Biko was a hero to many people during apartheid. |
Biko stood for freedom and equality. He believed that he deserved all the same rights as any white man in South Africa. He had gotten a good education as a young boy, but because of his skin color, he could not benefit from it. Biko tried to show people that he was equal to everyone else and he wanted to make sure everyone all over South Africa was equal and had the same freedom to do what they wanted to. He fought for students rights, and even though he knew that there would be consequences, he kept fighting. Biko was expelled from school and arrested many times but he kept fighting. He knew that he had to help people and that he couldn’t just stop. Biko fought until his death and helped many people all over South Africa.
Biko was inspired by people who had the same beliefs as him. He was inspired by Nelson Mandela who also fought for equality. Mandela led to Anti-Apartheid movement for years, but when he went into prison, Biko knew that he had to take his place. Biko fought for student rights and eventually was fighting for everyone's rights. He led the fight for rights for many years, and because of what he was able to do as a young student, people saw him as a hero. He was always doing his best to help other and when he died, many people began fighting the apartheid regime too. People saw how much success Biko had and wanted to follow in his footsteps.. Even though people knew that there would be consequences, they did still fought against the Apartheid Regime like Biko. Many people who helped fight apartheid were inspired by Biko. Biko was inspired by many people and during his life he was able to inspire many others.
Biko was inspired by people who had the same beliefs as him. He was inspired by Nelson Mandela who also fought for equality. Mandela led to Anti-Apartheid movement for years, but when he went into prison, Biko knew that he had to take his place. Biko fought for student rights and eventually was fighting for everyone's rights. He led the fight for rights for many years, and because of what he was able to do as a young student, people saw him as a hero. He was always doing his best to help other and when he died, many people began fighting the apartheid regime too. People saw how much success Biko had and wanted to follow in his footsteps.. Even though people knew that there would be consequences, they did still fought against the Apartheid Regime like Biko. Many people who helped fight apartheid were inspired by Biko. Biko was inspired by many people and during his life he was able to inspire many others.
Timeline of Biko's life
- Born in King William's Town, Eastern Cape, South Africa, on December 18, 1946
- From 1966, Biko attended the University of Natal Medical School
- In 1968, he created the South African Student's Organization
- In 1970, Biko Married Ntsiki Mashalaba
- Was expelled from university in 1972 for his political activism
- Biko then created The Black People's Convention at the end of 1972
- Banned by Apartheid Regime in 1973, meaning he could not publicly speak or speak to the media
- 1973-1977, Biko was arrested many times and held for months each time
- Arrested in August 1977 and held in Port Elizabeth
- Died in a prison in Pretoria on September 12, 1977
- In 1987, the movie Cry Freedom was made about Biko