Steve Biko (1946–1977)

As a medical student in Natal, Biko founded the all-Black South African Students’ Organisation.

He travelled around different Black campuses establishing solidarity and working for students to be accepted on their own terms as an integral part of the South African community, by emphasising pride, self-respect, self-reliance and belief in the ability to achieve political and social justice.

His organisation grew to a coalition of over 70 Black Groups that stood as a national political party at a time when the main Black parties (including the African National Congress – today’s South African government), had been banned.

He designed ‘Programmes’ specifically to uplift the Black community. He was frequently under observation and imprisoned for his work, and at the age of just 31 was tortured and beaten to death while in jail.

Black People Who Changed the World

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