Steve Biko

• Steve Biko was a well-educated man who studied medicine at university, born in 1946, he was a leading figure in the South African Students Organisation (SASO), which he set up in 1969, and the wider BCM group
• SASO was a black-only student union, he published as 'Frank Talk', the universities were segregated; at his time, he was known as a clear, and exciting figure of Black Consciousness
• Biko was a leading figure in the anti-apartheid movement after mandela’s imprisonment, inspired by MLK and Malcolm X, he was a powerful speaker and a vocal advocate for black rights
• After being kicked out of university for neglecting studies, Biko worked for the Black Consciousness Convention (BCC) in 1972, who created self-help projects for poor black people and set up a health centre called Zanenphilo
• Biko inspired the pupils in Soweto (1976), leading to an uprising, the Black Peoples Convention (BPC) helped establish Njwaxa, a cottage industry for unemployed
• September 1977: Biko was arrested, kept naked for 18 days (beaten and chained), and driven 1,600 km to a hospital (died at 30), his death was covered as a hunger strike, but investigations found it was brain damage
• Steve Biko's Death sparked international outrage, and UN calls Biko a martyr; he was the 20th person to die in 18 months in custody but the white government maintains power due to fear of black resistance