Steve Biko

NAME: Steve Biko

WHAT FAMOUS FOR: Steve Biko is renowned for his pivotal role in the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa and for being a leading figure in the Black Consciousness Movement.

BIRTH: Steve Biko was born on December 18, 1946, in King William's Town, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

FAMILY BACKGROUND: Biko was the third child of Mzimgayi Biko, a clerk, and Alice Biko, a housewife. His family was part of the Xhosa ethnic group, and he grew up in a politically conscious environment.

CHILDHOOD: Growing up in the midst of racial segregation and oppression, Biko experienced first-hand the injustices of apartheid South Africa. His childhood was marked by a strong sense of social justice and a determination to challenge the status quo.

EDUCATION: Biko attended Brownlee Primary School and then Forbes Grant Secondary School. He later enrolled at Lovedale High School, where he excelled academically and became involved in student activism. He was expelled from high school for political activism.

From 1964 to 1965, Biko studied at St. Francis College, a Catholic boarding school in Mariannhill, Natal. He then studied medicine at the University of Natal Medical School (1966-1972)

CAREER RECORD: Biko's career was dedicated to activism and organizing against apartheid. Here's his resume;

Co-founded the South African Students' Organisation (SASO) in 1968 (first president in 1969).

Founded the Black Consciousness Movement, advocating for Black pride and self-worth.

Co-founded the Black People's Convention (BPC) in 1972.

APPEARANCE: Biko was described as having a commanding presence, with a tall stature and expressive eyes that reflected his passion for social justice.

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FASHION: He often wore traditional African attire, symbolizing his pride in his cultural heritage and his rejection of Westernized standards of dress imposed by apartheid society.

CHARACTER: Biko was known for his unwavering commitment to justice, his charisma, and his ability to inspire others to join the struggle against apartheid.

SENSE OF HUMOUR: Despite the gravity of his cause, Biko had a keen sense of humor and was known to use wit and satire to critique the oppressive system of apartheid.

RELATIONSHIPS: Biko married Ntsiki Mashalaba in December 1970, and they had two children together, Nkosinathi, born in 1971, and Samora, born in 1975.

Angered by her husband's serial adultery, Mashalaba ultimately moved out of their home, and by the time of his death, she had begun divorce proceedings.

Biko had three other children from other relationships.

MONEY AND FAME: Biko lived modestly, dedicating his life to activism rather than pursuing personal wealth or fame.

FOOD AND DRINK: As a proud Xhosa man, Biko enjoyed traditional South African cuisine, including dishes like umngqusho (samp and beans) and umngqusho (maize porridge).

MUSIC AND ARTS: Biko appreciated the role of music and art in inspiring social change, and he often used cultural expression as a tool for resistance against apartheid.

LITERATURE: He was an avid reader and drew inspiration from the works of African and African-American writers, philosophers, and activists.

NATURE: Biko had a deep connection to the land and nature, which he saw as integral to the identity and resilience of the black South African community.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS: Biko enjoyed playing soccer and was an active participant in community sports activities.

SCIENCE AND MATHS: While Biko's focus was primarily on social justice and activism, he recognized the importance of education, including the fields of science and mathematics, in empowering black South Africans.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY: Steve Biko's philosophy centered on Black empowerment and self-reliance. He rejected the idea of Black inferiority promoted by apartheid and instead advocated for Black Consciousness, a movement that encouraged Black South Africans to:

Recognize their inherent dignity and worth.

Reject white racism and domination.

Build their own institutions and leadership.

POLITICS Biko was a radical critic of apartheid South Africa. He believed that Black liberation could not be achieved through integration with white society, but rather through a separate Black consciousness movement.

Here are some key aspects of Biko's political ideology:

Black Consciousness: This philosophy aimed to instill pride and self-worth in Black South Africans and encourage them to reject dependence on white society.

Non-racialism: Biko envisioned a future South Africa that was free from racial oppression, but he did not advocate for a colorblind society. He believed Black people needed to develop their own identity and power base.

Grassroots Mobilization: Biko focused on mobilizing the Black working class and youth to challenge apartheid through boycotts, strikes, and community organizing.

Biko's Black Consciousness Movement became a powerful force in the anti-apartheid movement, inspiring generations of activists.

ACTIVISM: Biko was all about shaking things up at the grassroots level. Think of him as the James Brown of the anti-apartheid movement, belting out anthems of Black Consciousness while the white minority scrambled to turn down the volume.

Frustrated by the well-meaning but rather patronizing white liberals who seemed to be running the anti-apartheid show, Biko decided to yank the mic away and form his own band, the South African Students' Organisation, in 1968. Now, Biko wasn't exactly shy about his influences. He was a big fan of Frantz Fanon, the martini-drinking revolutionary from Martinique, and dug the whole Black Power movement coming out of America.  "Black is beautiful," he'd shout from the rooftops, urging his fellow South Africans to ditch any lingering inferiority complex and strut their stuff with pride.

In 1972, he decided the message needed a wider audience and co-founded the Black People's Convention, a kind of amplifier to blast his ideas across the whole country. The government, none too thrilled with this particular brand of Black pride, slapped a ban on Biko in 1973, hoping to mute him once and for all.

SCANDAL: There were no personal scandals surrounding Steve Biko.  However, his activism was considered radical by the apartheid government, which labeled him a dangerous agitator.  His Black Consciousness ideology, which challenged the very foundation of white supremacy, was viewed as a threat to the status quo.

Biko wasn't one to be silenced. He kept on stirring the pot, which eventually led to his arrest in 1977. What happened next is the stuff of tragic legend. In police custody, Biko was "accidentally" beaten to death, a state-sanctioned full stop to a very inconvenient voice.

MILITARY RECORD: Biko was not involved in the military but instead employed nonviolent resistance tactics in his fight against apartheid.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS: Biko maintained good physical health despite the stress and dangers inherent in his activism.

HOMES: Ginsberg township, Eastern Cape (Childhood) - This poor area for Black South Africans exposed Biko to the harsh realities of apartheid.

Student housing during his studies at St. Francis College and the University of Natal Medical School.

A home with his wife and children (brief period).

TRAVEL: While Biko primarily focused on activism within South Africa, he also traveled internationally to raise awareness about the anti-apartheid struggle.

DEATH: Tragically, Steve Biko died on September 12, 1977, at the age of 30, from injuries sustained while in police custody. 

While the official story claimed he died from a hunger strike, it is widely believed he was tortured and murdered by the South African security forces. His death sparked international outrage and further galvanized the anti-apartheid movement, cementing his legacy as a martyr for freedom and equality in South Africa. 

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA: Peter Gabriel wrote the song "Biko" after learning of the death of Steve Biko in police custody. 

Biko's writings, including I Write What I Like, continue to inspire activists and scholars.

A 1978 biography by his friend Donald Woods formed the basis for the 1987 film Cry Freedom. 

Several other films and documentaries have explored Biko's life and legacy, including Biko (1987).

ACHIEVEMENTS; Co-founded the South African Students' Organisation (SASO) and the Black People's Convention (BPC), key organizations in the anti-apartheid movement.

Pioneered the Black Consciousness Movement, which empowered Black South Africans and challenged apartheid ideology.

Became a symbol of resistance and a powerful voice for justice and equality.