What would Biko think?

By Somikazi Dyolivane [ufh]

Steve Bantu Biko - a South African icon, political activist who believed in equality of all races and provision of equal opportunities for all citizens of South Africa - was brutally murdered on the 12th of September 1977 by the apartheid regime. Biko was a great man who had a vision for South Africa and its citizens.

Biko sacrificed his life, hopes and dreams so that you and I, the youth of South Africa can have a future and freedom of expression.It has been 30 years since his passing. Today South Africa is a free nation. South Africans enjoy many freedoms, but not all freedoms are exercised responsibly.

Would Steve Biko be content with the governance of South Africa? Would he be happy with the way South Africans use their freedoms.

What have you done further Biko's ideas?

City Press on Biko hypocrisy

Simphiwe Kanityi

When I think of what would Biko think today it's like thinking about Jesus. What I mean about this is that there were people who pretended to be Jesus's friends while they were hypocrites. Those were the people who said good things while in public but failed to implement action.

For me, wherever Biko is now, I think we both think the same way:
"It is better to have heart without words than having words without heart".

What I mean is what Jesus told His disciples when He said: "Some are just worshipping me with their 'huge' lips while their hearts are far away from me, and that is what people are doing these days. They just commemorate for the sake of commemoration, there is no meaning.

I also liked the article I read in City Press written on the 15 September by the columnist Khathu Mamaila which reads as follows:

... Some among us are either hypocrites or cowards or both...

One of the values of Biko’s contribution was to put the African at the centre, not periphery, of the unfolding cultural revolution.

There is a crusade, a total onslaught, on the very concept of being African. Only last week, those who had appointed themselves the guardians of the uncivilised and savage African were at it again.

They were calling for an end to the practice of virginity testing. They say the practice abuses children. What they conveniently forget to say is that the girls who participate in the reed dance and virginity testing go there of their own free will. They are not forced. In fact they are proud to participate in the event. But the practice is dismissed as alien because it is foreign to the dominant culture, which is Eurocentric. And because of that, it should be dismissed as barbaric and abandoned.The same applies to other African practices such as koma, or initiation. The general focus is on the negative – the deaths of initiates.

... So perhaps as we remember Biko and celebrate our national heritage, we should look closely at things that restore our collective Africaness. It is not enough to just say Biko was a great leader while failing to implement the small things that he tried to inculcate in us.Instead of being too ready to hero-worship Biko, we should honestly interrogate his ideas so that when we identify with his vision, our lives can align properly with his teachings. For now, the whole thing is superficial.

Great work Future Journalists keep it up!

Apathy: Our generation's greatest curse

Jerusha Sukhdeo (UJ)

September 12 marks three decades since the death of black consciousness icon, Steve Bantu Biko. While many choose to reflect on Biko’s strength of character and iron resolve there is a lesson to be learned in the infamous response of South Africa’s Minister of Justice, James “Jimmy” Kruger. Kruger stated that Biko’s death left him “cold”.

The former Justice Minister and his ilk, felt nothing at the time of Biko’s death.

30 years on, it is disturbing to see that this sentiment remains. Even more disturbingly, this sentiment remains with the youth. Young people are increasingly ignorant and apathetic about the sacrifices made by men and women as recently as 30 years ago. Disinterest in politics, current affairs and even history is rife. While not everyone is political, an understanding of South Africa's political history and climate may lead to greater understanding and co-operation.

Dwelling in the past will certainly accomplish nothing. Ignoring it, however, may accomplish as little.

Apathy is our greatest curse.

Not what Biko would have wanted

Ukona Jelwana (WSU)

If Steve Biko were alive today, he would have been a father of four (don't ask me why though).
He would have been a political journalist rather than a politician because today's politics are completely different from what he stood for.

He wouldn't be intimidated into silence by the government and big business. He would continue to write what he liked. And his people would be his first priority.