Steve Biko


It is 30 years since South African anti-apartheid campaigner Steve Biko died in police custody, aged 30. What does the anniversary mean to you?

The leader of the black consciousness movement was arrested and detained under the Terrorism Act by South African police on 18 August 1977.

He died whilst in detention from major head injuries, 25 days later on 12 September.

His contribution to the black fight for freedom from apartheid is often placed as second only to that of former President Nelson Mandela.

"They had to kill him to prolong the life of apartheid," Nelson Mandela said of Steve Biko.
bbc.co.uk





"Biko"
September '77
Port Elizabeth weather fine
It was business as usual
In police room 619
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
Yihla Moja, Yihla Moja
-The man is dead

When I try to sleep at night
I can only dream in red
The outside world is black and white
With only one colour dead
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
Yihla Moja, Yihla Moja
-The man is dead

You can blow out a candle
But you can't blow out a fire
Once the flames begin to catch
The wind will blow it higher
Oh Biko, Biko, because Biko
Yihla Moja, Yihla Moja
-The man is dead

And the eyes of the world are
watching now
watching now
PETER GABRIEL LYRICS






maryvillecollege.edu